Vitamins
Free vitamins
FREE vitamins are available for all pregnant women, new mothers and children up to the age of four in Hackney and the City.
If you live in Hackney and the City or visit your GP here, you can claim your free Healthy Start vitamins simply and easily by visiting your local children’s centre or pharmacy.
Why are vitamins important?
Vitamins are essential nutrients that your body needs to maintain good health. Although we can get lots of vitamins from a healthy balanced diet, this is not enough for young children, new mums and pregnant women.
Healthy Start women’s vitamin tablets contain:
- folic acid: prevents complications or birth defects when taken during pregnancy
- vitamin C: for healthy tissue in the body
- vitamin D: absorbs calcium and supports your baby’s bones to become strong and healthy
Healthy Start children’s vitamin drops contain:
- vitamin D: for strong bones and teeth
- vitamin C: for healthy tissue in the body
- vitamin A: for growth, vision in dim light and healthy skin
If your baby is formula fed they will not need extra vitamins until they are drinking less than about a pint of formula milk a day (500ml or about 18 fl oz)
How to collect free vitamins?
Simply complete this registration form and bring it to your nearest Children’s Centre strategic hub or community pharmacy in Hackney and participating pharmacies in the City of London.
See list of participating child and family centres, and community pharmacies distributing in City and Hackney, visit NHS Choices.
Every 8 weeks, come back for more!
Vitamins are suitable for vegetarian and halal diets, and free from milk, egg, gluten, soya and peanut residue.
Healthy Start digital card
If you are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 years old, you might qualify for the National Healthy Start scheme. The scheme provides free fruit, vegetables, and milk. If you meet the criteria, you receive a Healthy Start card with money loaded onto it. The card can be used at UK shops that accept Mastercard. The card is topped up with money every 4 weeks.
The amount you get:
£4.25 per week during pregnancy starting from week 10
£8.50 per week for children from birth to 1 year old
£4.25 per week for children between 1 and 4 years old
To be eligible, you must receive any of the following:
Child Tax Credit (if your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less)
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Pension Credit (including the child addition)
Universal Credit (if your family’s take-home pay from employment is £408 or less per month)
Even if you are under 18 and pregnant without claiming any benefits, you can still be eligible for Healthy Start.