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NHS
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The National Health Service (NHS) is the publicly funded healthcare system in England, and one of the four National Health Service systems in the United Kingdom.
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Introducing solids

Getting vitamins

Why you should get your free Healthy Start vitamins  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.
In Short
You can get these important vitamins for free whilst you receive NHS Healthy Start payments.

There are two vitamin products available these are

Healthy Start women’s tablets

Healthy Start children’s drops

Getting vitamins

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

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

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.

Information from the NHS website as at 07/04/25.

Please click HERE for the up-to-date link to the NHS site.

Information from the NHS website is licensed under the Open Government Licence

v3.0. Open Government Licence.

DISCLAIMER
This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Essential Parent has used all reasonable care in compiling the information from leading experts and institutions but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details click here.