Getting vitamins

Why you should get your free Healthy Start vitamins 

Young children and babies may not get enough vitamin A and D even if they’re eating well. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you may not get enough vitamin C, vitamin D or folic acid.

You can get these important vitamins for free whilst you receive NHS Healthy Start payments. There are two vitamin products available:

• Healthy Start women’s tablets
• Healthy Start children’s drops

Healthy Start vitamin products provide the correct amount of vitamins recommended by the government.

The vitamin drops for babies and children contain:

• vitamins A, C and D

The vitamin tablets for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding contain:

• folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin D

They do not contain milk, egg, gluten, soya or peanut residues. They’re suitable for vegetarians and halal diets.

Children and babies can take vitamin drops :

• if they are less than 4 years old
• if they have less than 500ml (about one pint) of infant formula a day, as formula already has vitamins added to it
• from birth if they are breastfed

Healthy Start vitamins come as an 8-week supply of:

• 56 tablets (a daily dose of 1 tablet)
• 280 drops (a daily dose of 5 drops)

You or your children should not take more than the recommended amount.

Find out more information about taking vitamins on the NHS website (opens in a new tab).

Find information on pregnancy, baby and parenting advice on the NHS website (opens in a new tab).

How to get free vitamins if you live in England

Ask your midwife or health visitor where to get your free vitamins.

You can also find out who stocks Healthy Start vitamins in your local area (opens in a new tab).

You’ll need to show your NHS Healthy Start card when you collect your free vitamins.

How to get free vitamins if you live in Wales

Ask your midwife or health visitor where to get your free vitamins. You’ll need to show your NHS Healthy Start card when you collect your free vitamins.

How to get free vitamins if you live in Northern Ireland

Once you’re on the scheme, we’ll send you a letter or email explaining how to request your free Healthy Start vitamins. We’ll check your request and send your order to the Business Services Organisation in Northern Ireland. They’ll post the vitamins to you.

You should receive the letter or email within 10 working days of your successful application. If you haven’t received a letter or email after 10 days, or you can’t find it, contact us on 0300 330 7010 and we’ll send you a new one.