Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It would be remiss of me not to say that the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, was here this afternoon speaking on the Covid-19 vaccines question-and-answer session. I believe the Minister had another appointment.

I thank Deputy Higgins for raising this important matter. An evidence synthesis paper on vitamin D and Covid-19 prepared for national public health emergency team was discussed at its meeting on 28 January 2021. The paper examined available research evidence up to that date, including recent rapid reviews, randomised controlled trial evidence, observational studies and laboratory studies. NPHET agreed that at present there is insufficient high-quality evidence with respect to vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of Covid-19. NPHET agreed however that efforts should be made to increase awareness of existing guidance on vitamin D.

As I have said, a number of groups should take a daily vitamin D supplement, including adults spending increased time indoors, those who are housebound, those in long-term residential care and those with dark skin pigmentation. Measures are now being taken to communicate these recommendations for the use of vitamin D. Communication has been already issued to nursing homes and a presentation will be made to GPs. I encourage everyone to note the guidance from the Department of Health advising adults aged 65 years and older to take a daily vitamin D supplement of 15 µg to support bone and muscle health.

While the role of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention or treatment of Covid-19 has not been definitively established, I wish to assure the Deputy that NPHET will continue to monitor ongoing developments and research, especially randomised control trials, in this area and will review guidance accordingly. The Government will continue to look to NPHET to provide recommendations with regard to vitamin D and Covid-19.

Once again, I thank Deputy Higgins for her interest in this subject. I will certainly pass on her thoughts to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly.

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