Getting vitamins

Why you should get your free Healthy Start vitamins 

Young children 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.

Get these important vitamins for free by using your NHS Healthy Start card. You can get NHS Healthy Start women’s tablets and children’s drops.

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

You can get the vitamin tablets while you are pregnant and up to your baby’s first birthday. They contain:

• folic acid which lowers the chance of babies having spinal problems
• vitamin C which helps the body’s soft tissue
• vitamin D which helps babies’ bones to develop properly

Children can take vitamin drops if they:

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

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 about the vitamins you and your baby need and why (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

If you’re eligible for NHS Healthy Start, we’ll send you a letter explaining how to request your free 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.