Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who was responsible for the distribution of letters offering clinically extremely vulnerable people a four-month free supply of vitamin D supplements; and how many people received those letters.

On 27 November 2020 the Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government wrote to all 2.24 million people on the shielded patient list, providing information regarding the return to a tiered system of guidance for those considered clinically extremely vulnerable. In addition, this letter outlined the offer of a free four-month supply of vitamin D and contained information on how to register for this service.

A subsequent letter was sent to all clinically extremely vulnerable individuals on 7 January 2021, advising that the registration period for the provision of free vitamin D had been extended. Those considered clinically extremely vulnerable now have until 21 February to register for the service.