People on the NHS Healthy Start scheme are entitled to free Healthy Start vitamins.
Why you should get your free Healthy Start vitamins
You will get most of the vitamins you need from food. However, 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 Healthy Start vitamin tablets whilst you’re pregnant and up until your baby’s 1st birthday. You can get Healthy Start vitamin drops for your children from birth until their 4th birthday. If your child is having 500ml or more of formula a day, they do not need Healthy Start vitamins.
About Healthy Start vitamin tablets and 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 or Wales
Ask your midwife or health visitor where to get your free vitamins.
If you live in England, you can also find out who stocks Healthy Start vitamins in your local area (opens in a new tab).
If you live in Wales, you can also find out where your nearest community pharmacy collection point for vitamins is (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 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.
