Good news on Vitamin D and COVID-19 vaccine

[Susana7]

I just wanted to report that on Friday I received the Pfizer vaccine at Guy’s Hospital and today I received 120 vitamin D tablets via the post (those shielding are entitled to receive these vitamins). After a seemingly unending series of disasters in fighting the pandemic, something finally seems to be working well. The vaccine centre at Guy’s was extremely well organised. I had no side effects but for a slightly sore arm. The trip to London felt very safe as the trains and streets were deserted. I will start the vitamin D tablets tonight. Hope you all get your vaccines and vitamins soon! X

[JediReject]

Great news Susana, , as you say its good when a plan finally comes together. . .,Was Guys your choice given you had to travel by rail or could you have had it nearer home. . The travel aspect peaks my interest as a couple of family members have been offered 40 and 50 mile trips for their vaccine. Mine by comparison is just over 1 mile. In my view the nearer the better.

I too signed up for the vital D which I was informed by email today should arrive by Royal Mail in next 3 weeks. . I already take it so need to check how much is too much but it will save me buying it as it's not always on the shelf since mid last year.

Regards - Chris

[Susana7 in reply to JediReject]

Hi Chris, I received a text message offering the vaccine at Guy’s where I go for the haematology clinic and I decided to accept it as I am not sure when I will be offered it locally (St Albans). I work in London so I am very used to the daily commute. But I have been working from home since March so it is now a bit of a novelty to travel to London! The trains were deserted so no problems there. As for the vitamins, I received the email today too and to my surprise an hour later they came through the post! Yours should be on the way too. They sent 10mcg tablets and say not to take them if you are already taking Vitamin D. Seems to be a small dose. All the best to you xxx

[JediReject in reply to Susana7]

Well a win win for you 😃 . . I used to travel a bit in a past life but I wouldn't be so confident using the rail nowadays, not because of Covid more I'm out of the habit but I can see it would be no big deal for you being your recent normal commute. I see from your pic that the weather was no better in London than here in drizzly grey Blackpool , ,

Yeah I think the recommendation for vital D is 10mcg for most peops but as I have Osteoporosis and take a combined calcium / vit d tablet I will ask if ok to up the vit d.

Stay safe - C x

[Susana7 in reply to JediReject]

Yes the weather was not great on the way there but it brightened up on the way back. This site does not let me post multiple photos, otherwise I would have posted the blue skies on the return journey! Xxx

[JP1952 in reply to JediReject]

Hi, could I just ask how do you get to sign up for the vitamim D? I have a shielding letter.

[Tico in reply to JP1952]

Their was a website to sign up to it if you were shielding. I can't remember the link now or if its still up. Try Googling it on Gov. UK. Tina.🤗

[Susana7 in reply to JP1952]

There was a section on Vitamin D in my November shielding letter. It offered a link to sign up for it:

nhs.uk/get-vitamin-d

The deadline was January 4th but the link still seems to work.

[JP1952 in reply to Susana7]

Thanks for that, had a look but unfortunately, it looks like for England only and I'm in Wales. No probs, they can't be too expensive so I'll get some up the pharmacy.

[Susana7 in reply to JP1952]

Yes, sorry, it does appear it is England only. The geographical scope was not stated in the letter at all but after my post it seems like it was not offered to those shielding in Wales or Scotland. But these vitamins are pretty cheap. The dose distributed is 10mcg, so a low dose.

[Borage in reply to Susana7]

Can you ask your GP for a prescription as these are free?

Dr John Campbell has a good YouTube video this week on the latest research into Vitamin D and Covid-19. It may improve the effectiveness of the vaccination? I didn’t quite understand the theory, something about reducing inflammation and T cells.

[Hidden]

Good to hear !!! And I really love this picture!!!!

[Susana7 in reply to Hidden]

It is Vaccination Centre 2, opposite Guy’s Hospital!

[Jennytheb in reply to Hidden]

Had to look twice as didn't recognise such a quiet London! Long to see the sights again. x

[Susana7 in reply to Jennytheb]

It is unbelievably quiet! The area between Blackfriars and the hospital is usually bustling with people. I wanted to post photos of the deserted streets but this app does not allow multiple photos or to add photos in the comments...

[JediReject in reply to Susana7]

I put one on using a collage app in my gallery !

[Susana7 in reply to JediReject]

Thanks, I really should have thought of that! Will use make a collage next time I post a photo ☺️

[Hidden]

Please can you tell me why we have to take vitamin D particularly? I hope the sunshine gives me my quotas of this vitamin. Interesting here in NZ where the vaccine hasn't arrived here how all patients in the UK are being issued with there's. Most replies have been promising with not a lot of side-effects. Just need now to see if it works??

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Just to add we are not prescribed it here in NZ.

[Susana7 in reply to Hidden]

We have vaccinated almost 10 million people here, 18% of the population. First dose only in most cases, so still a lot of work to do to complete the course. But it is the first thing that is working well! As for vitamin D, this is being prescribed as there are a lot of people who are vitamin D deficient over here (less sunshine than in NZ for sure!), some 20% of the population in normal times. Since March 2020, we have had 3 national lockdowns with millions of vulnerable people (which includes MPN patients) asked to shield at home, so there is likely to be more cases of vitamin D deficiency as many people are getting no sunshine. Hence the distribution of the vitamin tablets. Probably not an issue in NZ! X

[kaymack in reply to Hidden]

You can always ask your GP to do a blood test to check your Vitamin D level, if you are concerned. In the northern areas of North America, where the winters are long, Vitamin D has been added to milk for decades, to prevent rickets in children. Many deficient people are prescribed Colecalciferol in NZ.healthnavigator.org.nz/medi...

[Hidden in reply to kaymack]

No I am not really concerned about my levels. I have had plenty of sun most of my life. Have inherited an Olive skin so don't tend to burn. My mother was on Colecalciferol but she had three types of arthritis. Do MPN patients typically have low vit D Levels?

[Hidden]

Thankyou, yes for sure. We are having lots of sunshine at the mo and of course it is our summer. Do we generally need more vit D especially for MPN patients? Of course everyone needs vit D in general health.

[socrates_8]

Hey guys...

I am Post ET / MF and was always deficient in Vit' D even though I am out in the sub quite a lot cycling etc...

I believe the toxicity of some drugs effects our natural D reserves...

Best wishes

Steve

[Inca in reply to socrates_8]

I have a phial of vit D every 2 months,prescribed since diagnosis & treament of Hydrea nearly 12 yrs ago.Lots of sun here too ,but we are meant to stay out of it.....Jakavi now,still stay out of the sun except early morn.Stay well Steve

[Susana7 in reply to socrates_8]

Interesting! I normally spend my holidays abroad in the sun, but aside that I am indoors a lot because of work. I wonder if a yearly sun boost is enough to keep your vitamin D levels in range. Anyway, I started taking the vitamin tablets now!

[Jenny_F]

I am already taking Vitamin D but I have a question for those that have the government distributed ones - are they vegetarian on vegan?

[Susana7 in reply to Jenny_F]

No, they are not suitable for vegans, it says so in the packet. Does not say anything about vegetarians though.

[Jenny_F in reply to Susana7]

Thanks For the reply. i just wondered. I am a vegetarian but tbh at the moment sometimes you have to put principles to one side

[Susana7 in reply to Jenny_F]

Indeed! The issue seems to be with one element of the vitamin D3 - cholecalciferol - that is usually derived from sheep’s wool fat. It is not suitable for vegans but it is usually suitable for vegetarians. That is unless it is derived from the wool fat of slaughtered animals which might then be considered objectionable. My son is vegan so we normally look at ingredients very carefully too!

[Jennytheb]

Hi, I have 3 friends working in the health sector and have had all their 2nd jabs. They did feel ok for first but not so good for a day/2 with the second. Good luck all.

[wotan10]

Booked my appointment today. For the 13th of February and the 2nd of May.