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

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

• Get vaccinated.
• Stay away from people who are sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Don't touch your face.
• Disinfect surfaces you regularly touch.
• Improve indoor airflow, also called ventilation, by opening windows or turning on exhaust fans.
• Wear a face mask, especially if people around you have or are recovering from COVID-19. Masking can be key if you're at risk of getting serious COVID-19 illness. Risk factors include a weakened immune system, certain health conditions, pregnancy, and being age 65 or older.

Vitamin D, like other vitamins and minerals, helps the body work. And vitamin D is known to have a role in the body's defenses against germs. These defenses also are called the immune response.

Researchers are looking at the effect of vitamin D levels on infection with the COVID-19 virus. 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 might raise the risk of COVID-19. Not having enough vitamin D also may raise the overall risk of lung illnesses, also called respiratory illnesses. If your level of vitamin D is too low, you'll likely hear your healthcare professional call it a vitamin D deficiency.

On the other hand, having enough vitamin D may help people get the most out of their COVID-19 vaccinations.

If you're concerned about your vitamin D level, ask your healthcare professional about getting it checked. And if you have a vitamin D deficiency, talk with your healthcare professional about how to get your level up.