Vitamin D Supplements for Prevention of COVID-19 or other Acute Respiratory Infections: a Phase 3 Randomised Controlled Trial (CORONAVIT)
Authors: Jolliffe David A. , Holt Hayley , Greenig Matthew , Talaei Mohammad , Perdek Natalia , Pfeffer Paul , Vivaldi Giulia , Maltby Sheena , Symons Jane , Barlow Nicola L. , Normandale Alexa , Garcha Rajvinder , Richter Alex G. , Faustini Sian E. , Orton Christopher , Ford David , Lyons Ronan A. , Davies Gwyneth A. , Kee Frank , Griffiths Christopher J. , Norrie John , Sheikh Aziz , Shaheen Seif O. , Relton Clare , Martineau Adrian R. 
Published: March 2022

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether population-level implementation of a test-and- treat approach to correction of sub-optimal vitamin D status (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] <75 nmol/L) influences risk of all-cause acute respiratory infection (ARI) or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

DESIGN

Phase 3 open-label randomised controlled trial (CORONAVIT) utilising trials-within-cohorts (TwiCs) methodology.

SETTING

United Kingdom.

PARTICIPANTS

6200 adults aged 16 years or older, who were not already taking vitamin D supplements at baseline.

INTERVENTIONS

Offer of a postal finger-prick test of blood 25(OH)D concentration with provision of a 6-month supply of higher-dose vitamin D (3200 IU/day, n=1550) or lower-dose vitamin D (800 IU/day, n=1550) to those with blood 25(OH)D concentration <75 nmol/L, vs. no offer of testing or supplementation (n=3100). Follow-up was from 17th December 2020 to 16th June 2021.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the proportion of participants experiencing at least one doctor- or swab test-confirmed ARI of any cause. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of participants developing swab test-confirmed COVID-19. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and associated 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Of 3100 participants offered 25(OH)D testing, 2958 (95.4%) accepted, and 2690 (86.8%) had 25(OH)D <75 nmol/L and were sent vitamin D supplements (1356 higher-dose, 1334 lower-dose). 76 (5.0%) vs. 87 (5.7%) vs. 136 (4.6%) participants in higher-dose vs. lower-dose vs. no offer groups experienced at least one ARI of any cause (odds ratio [OR] for higher-dose vs. no offer 1.09, 95% CI 0.82-1.46; lower-dose vs. no offer 1.26, 0.96-1.66). 45 (3.0%) vs. 55 (3.6%) vs. 78 (2.6%) participants in higher-dose vs. lower-dose vs. no offer groups developed COVID-19 (OR for higher-dose vs. no offer 1.13, 0.78-1.63; lower-dose vs. no offer 1.39, 0.98-1.97).

CONCLUSIONS

Among adults with a high baseline prevalence of sub-optimal vitamin D status, implementation of a population-level test-and-treat approach to vitamin D replacement did not reduce risk of all-cause ARI or COVID-19.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov no. NCT04579640

SUMMARY BOX

What is already known on this topic?

Vitamin D metabolites support innate immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other respiratory pathogens. Sub-optimal vitamin D status (25-hydroxyvitamin D <75 nmol/L) associates with increased susceptibility to all-cause acute respiratory infections (ARI) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Phase 3 randomised controlled trials of vitamin D to prevent COVID-19 have not yet reported.

What this study adds

This phase 3 randomised controlled trial, including 6200 participants, shows that implementation of a population-level test-and-treat approach to oral vitamin D replacement at a dose of 800 IU or 3200 IU per day did not reduce risk of all-cause ARI or COVID-19 among adults with a high baseline prevalence of sub-optimal vitamin D status.