Free Vitamin D for healthy teeth and bones

15 September 2014

Written by: Campaigns and Communications Team

Health and Wellbeing

In Lambeth, pregnant women, new mums and children under four can now get free vitamin D supplements to help keep them healthy.

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Free Vitamin D for healthy teeth and bones

Across Lambeth all pregnant women, new mums and children under four can now get free supplements of vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones, thanks to the new Free D scheme from Lambeth Council and the local NHS.

The move comes on the back of concerns about the increase in rickets and other impacts of low levels of vitamin D that can include bone and muscle pain, a soft skull, weak teeth and delayed walking in infants.

Where can I get vitamin D?

If you are pregnant or have children under four you can register for your free vitamins at most community pharmacies across Lambeth. When you register you will receive a Free D card.

Free Vitamin D – pharmacy list

Why is vitamin D important?

Vitamin D will help the bodies of both mother and child to absorb calcium, which is essential for keeping bones healthy throughout life.  When pregnant women don’t get enough vitamin D their children can be more at risk of rickets, seizures and even heart failure.

For pregnant women supplements make sure that their own needs for vitamin D are met and also that they have enough vitamin D to pass onto their developing baby. This will also help make sure that their baby is born with enough stores of vitamin D for the first few months of life.

After birth, mothers can continue to get vitamin D supplements for a year along with vitamin D drops for their child until they reach the age of four.

Eating the right things and some natural sunlight can help

You can read more about Vitamin D on the NHS Choices website:

Dr Ruth Wallis, Lambeth and Southwark’s  Director of Public Health, said: “The body needs vitamin D to ensure the growth and continued health of bones and teeth. The best natural source of vitamin D is sunlight on the skin. However the sun in the UK is only strong enough between April and September. While vitamin D is present in small amounts in some foods, such as oily fish and eggs, it is difficult to get enough vitamin D from food alone, no matter how healthy your diet is. Taking daily supplements will make sure you get the right amount.”

Please do tell us about your vitamin D experiences below…

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13 Thoughts on “Free Vitamin D for healthy teeth and bones

  1. Shamika says:

    I live in Herne Hill SE24 and the list doesn’t include any pharmacies which are near me. I would appreciate if you could please try to engage one of the local pharmacies in the SE24 area. Thank you.

  2. J Silva says:

    Hi dear
    I tried too many times register me to receive this card D but I can’t find the link to do.

  3. Anita says:

    My vitamin D level came out at 12 when tested. I would like to know what type of supplement it is…is it natural or artificial?

    • Communications team says:

      Hi, please speak to your GP or your local pharmacist for more information.

  4. Sal says:

    Could you please tell me which pharmacy or chemist in Peckham i could pick up my vitamins. Boots in Peckham never has it, they always say that they’ve ordered but never arrives. Its being since Jan 15 i have not mt vitamins D or vitamin dropes for my babies. Thank you for your kind support.

  5. Olasunbo Martins-Stephen says:

    We are having problem obtaining the free vitamin D supplement for our pharmacy. Does anyone knows how to go about it. Many thanks

  6. Natasha says:

    Could you clarify if you take this throughout your pregnancy?

    I was easily able to get my first prescription from Rosendale Pharmacy. But I am now running out. So went to Boots on Lower Marsh (near work), but they weren’t able to give me a repeat prescription. Stating they weren’t aware women take it throughout their pregnancy. And that you take it for the first trimester, for a month after the child is born and then the child takes it.

    However I then rang Rosendale Pharmacy who confirmed pregnant women take it throughout their pregnancy.

    So I am very confused.

    Do I take it throughout my pregnancy and if so what do I do to get a repeat prescription?

    • Barry Norris says:

      Hello Natasha,

      Thanks for your comment and interest in Vitamin D.

      My public health colleagues inform me that pregnant women should take Vitamin D throughout pregnancy. All of the pharmacies on our list should be aware of this.

      I will forward on the useful information you have provided about pharmacies giving different information to our public health team who will follow up and investigate further.

      Thanks again and best wishes for Christmas and the new year

      from Barry
      on behalf of the Campaigns Team at Lambeth

  7. Campaigns Team says:

    Hi Sarah, you should be able to sign-up at your local pharmacy and won’t need any info with you, regards.

  8. sarah osborne says:

    Hello, unless I have missed it can you please clarify in this info whether I need to take any info to the pharmacy to register or just attend. Thank you

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