Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My specific question was whether the Government will look at exempting people who will test positive because they have had Covid-19, have gone through the symptoms and recovered, although they are not infectious and are essential workers.

The other thing that I have repeatedly called for is that NPHET and the Department of Health look at vitamin D supplements. We know that we cannot give the vaccine to everybody who requires it now but we can give vitamin D to everybody. I am not suggesting that it is as efficacious as a vaccine but the overwhelming evidence is that it is beneficial both in terms of preventing people getting Covid-19 and in reducing the impact of Covid-19 if they do get it. The risk of toxicity is very low so there is little to lose and much to gain. I asked the Department of Health this question and received a parliamentary reply saying that it would continue to look at the matter. There is more and more evidence being published in The Lancetand theBritish Medical Journal,that is, in reputable scientific journals, to suggest that benefits accrue from this while people are waiting for a vaccine.

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