Can vitamin D protect against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?

Updated: 2023-01-26

Answer Section

It is not clear if vitamin D supplements help prevent COVID-19 infection. You can help prevent infection from the COVID-19 virus by following these steps:

• Get vaccinated.
• Avoid people who are sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Don't touch your face.
• Disinfect surfaces you touch regularly.
• Improve airflow, also called ventilation, when indoors by opening windows or turning on exhaust fans.
• Wear a face mask, especially if COVID-19 community levels are high in your area.

Vitamin D, like other vitamins and minerals, helps the body work. And vitamin D is known to have a role in the body's immune response.

Researchers are looking at the effect of vitamin D levels on COVID-19. Some researchers study ways to prevent illness. Others test the effect of vitamin D given to people in the hospital with COVID-19.

There is no clear picture on how or if vitamin D should be used in prevention or treatment of COVID-19.

But researchers think that not having the amount of vitamin D your body needs, also called vitamin D deficiency, might put people at higher risk of getting COVID-19 and lung, also called respiratory, illnesses overall.

Having enough vitamin D also may help people get the most out of their COVID-19 vaccination.

If you're concerned about your vitamin D level, ask your health care provider about getting it checked. And if you have a vitamin D deficiency, talk to your provider about how to get your levels up.