The NHS recommends that pregnant women and children aged 3 months to 5 years should take a vitamin supplement.
by Thomas Cox
It doesn’t matter who you are, all pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and young children are at risk of vitamin D deficiency and 8% of children under five in the UK don’t have enough vitamin A in their diet.
Not getting these vitamins can cause health problems for parents and children such as:
- bone deformities (rickets),
- eye problems,
- increase difficulty in fighting infections,
- and in extreme cases vitamin deficiencies can even cause death.
So, how can you make sure you and your baby have the vitamins you need? Well Healthy Start Vitamins, are here to help.
Healthy Start Vitamins are available at some pharmacies for children under 5
If you visit certain pharmacies in Telford & Wrekin you’ll be able to buy Healthy Start Vitamins at a discounted rate. Check out which pharmacies sell Healthy Start Vitamins before you go.
If you have a child under 5 be sure to look out for them when you next visit a pharmacy or ask your local pharmacist about them, they’ll be happy to help.
Are you eligible for free Healthy Start Vitamins?
Families who receive certain benefits are able to sign up for free vitamins via the Healthy Start Voucher scheme. Those who receive the following are eligible:
- Income Support, or
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or
- Child Tax Credit (with a family income of £16,190 or less per year)
- Universal Credit (with a family take home pay of £408 or less per month)
If you think you are eligible to receive healthy start vouchers, then here is what you need to do to claim them:
- First visit the Healthy Start Vitamins website
- Fill in the online form
- Take your Healthy Start vouchers to any pharmacy or your midwife.
We are here to help
It’s important that you and your child make the best start possible. If you have any questions about Healthy Start, ask your local pharmacy, midwife or health visitor.
Alternatively, you can visit the Healthy Start web pages.