A number of studies undertaken since the start of the COVID pandemic have indicated that a Vitamin D deficiency may increase your risk of getting COVID and thereafter, needing hospitalisation. Some studies found that in patients with optimal vitamin D levels, they were far less likely to need ICU and the fatality rate was almost zero.

A study by Northwestern University analysed a number of different studies and concluded that patients with a severe vitamin D deficiency are twice as likely to experience major complications and die from COVID.
 
We get Vitamin D from sunlight and from animals that have also been in sunlight. However, our Vitamin D stores are generally depleted by October and that is only if we have had a lot of good sunshine during the summer. Not likely in Ireland!
 
Foods that are high in fat like egg yolk, dairy, meat and oily fish can be good sources of vitamin D. However, as most chickens are reared indoors nowadays, and as our animals spend most of the winter months indoors, their levels of Vitamin D are also low and will not be a good source for humans during these months.
Here at the Health Hub, we usually recommend Vitamin D from 'clock change to clock change' - October to April. But this year, we are recommending that everyone take a Vitamin D daily starting asap.
 
Adults: 1000IU per day is generally enough
Immune Compromised Adults: 3000IU per day
Babies: 200 IU per day
Kids: 400 IU per day