Vitamin D Deficiency, COVID-19 and Bame Community

Objective: The objective of this review is to analyse the evidence and recommendations available regarding the possible role of vitamin D deficiency in the disproportionate effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the BAME community in the UK. The incidence of vitamin D deficiency, its role in immunity and the safety of supplementation, will also be discussed.Study design: Relevant articles were searched on MEDLINE/PubMed.Methods: The search was conducted in August 2020. No systemic review or RCT was found linking vitamin D deficiency in BAME community to the COVID-19 infection or its effect on incidence, severity or mortality in this group of population. Hence other relevant articles were reviewed and analysed.Results: There is ample evidence of negative effect of vitamin D deficiency on the severity and mortality of COVID-19 infection. At the same time it is well documented that the incidence of vitamin D deficiency is very high in the BAME community in the UK and correction of this deficiency may be an easy and safe modifiable factor in the short term to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on this community as well as others at risk of the COVID-19 infection.Conclusion: It is proposed that all high risk individuals, including all health care workers and members of BAME community should be advised to take vitamin D supplements and this information should be widely disseminated in the interest of public health.