Category: MIL-OSI

19 July 2025

As the latest wave of COVID-19 shows no signs of abating, University of South Australia experts say it’s not just booster shots that could offer protection – healthy levels of vitamin D may also play a role.

In new research conducted in partnership with the King’s College London and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation, researchers found a clear link between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of being hospitalised by the virus.

No association was found between low vitamin D and the risk of catching COVID-19.

The study assessed more than 150,000 participants in the UK Biobank, undertaking analyses to determine whether the risk of COVID-19 was higher among people with Vitamin D deficiency (<25nmol/L in their blood) and vitamin D insufficiency (25-49 nmol/L) compared with those who had normal levels of Vitamin D (50+ nmol/L). They also compared risk of being hospitalised due to COVID-19 across these three groups.

In Australia, nearly a quarter of adults – about four million people – are vitamin D deficient. Globally, about one billion people have vitamin D deficiency, with 50% of the population showing insufficient vitamin D levels.

Australian-based researcher and epidemiologist, UniSA’s Dr Kerri Beckmann, says the findings could identify vulnerable people and guide future public health advice.

“Vitamin D plays a key role in regulating the immune system, so it’s plausible that low levels may influence how the body responds to infections like COVID-19,” Dr Beckmann says.

“Our study found that people with a vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency were more likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19 than those with healthy levels of Vitamin D – but they weren’t more likely to catch the virus in the first place.”

The study also explored associations between vitamin D and COVID-19 outcomes among cancer patients, as well as across different ethnic groups.

People of Asian or African/Afro-Caribbean heritage were found to have a slightly higher risk of infection if they had low vitamin D levels, though the association between low vitamin D and severe illness was only seen in people of Caucasian backgrounds.

No association was found between vitamin D and COVID-19 outcomes among people previously diagnosed with cancer, though researchers caution this may reflect the smaller sample size.

Dr Beckmann says that while risk from COVID-19 has lessened over time, the virus remains a public health concern.

“COVID-19 may not be the threat it once was, but it still affects peoples’ well-being,” Dr Beckmann says.

“Understanding who is most at risk helps those individuals take extra precautions, including monitoring their vitamin D levels.

“It could be that people who are in poor health to start with may also have low vitamin D levels. So, at this stage, we don’t know whether vitamin D supplements in themselves could reduce the severity of COVID-19.

“It’s certainly an area worth exploring – especially as we continue to live with the virus.”

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Contact for interview:  Dr Kerri Beckmann E: Kerri.Beckmann@unisa.edu.au
Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au

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Released 18/07/2025

The ACT Government values the contribution of volunteers to the ACT community and recognises that a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration is a requirement for many volunteering activities. The ACT Government also wants to ensure the ongoing sustainability of our nation-leading scheme so that it continues to serve our community as a mechanism to protect vulnerable people.

After feedback from the community and in close collaboration with both VolunteeringACT and ACTCOSS, the ACT Government will not introduce the $11 fee for WWVP volunteer registrations, which had been due to begin in September. Minister for City and Government Services Tara Cheyne said the Government’s decision was informed by community feedback and stakeholder engagement.

“The intent of the fee was to offset some of the costs associated with administering a scheme which has been identified as far exceeding original modelling and projections since the first review of it in 2017,” Minister Cheyne said.

“Many of the 160,000 card holders are not necessarily required to be registered under the law, and while there may be benefits from a wider list of card holders in volunteer roles, this has placed unsustainable pressure on the scheme.”

“We are also anticipating that there will be additional requirements under the scheme as part of national responses to concerns in both the early childhood education and care sector and the aged care sector.”

“The Government has invested more than $5 million in this year’s Budget to support the continued delivery of the WWVP scheme and will continue to explore further policy improvements to ensure the scheme remains fair, effective and sustainable, while continuing to protect our community’s most vulnerable members,” said Minister Cheyne.

The Government is planning to review the scheme in partnership with VolunteeringACT and ACTCOSS. This review will consider how the scheme can sustainably maintain the support it provides to sectors of the community who engage with vulnerable people.

Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services Suzanne Orr said that the Territory will be involved in the national conversation relating to working with vulnerable people checks in key sectors.

“It is timely to look more broadly at the scheme. This step has been taken in response to the changing national environment relating to checks like the WWVP and other schemes in other jurisdictions.”

“The ACT Government will work with local organisations and community partners to ensure appropriate safeguards remain in place and we continue to operate a nation-leading scheme that is sustainable into the future.”

“The ACT Government values the contribution of each and every person who volunteers their time to support our community, whether it be as part of the State Emergency Service (SES), planting trees with their local environment group, coaching the local sports team or helping with services for those in our community who benefit most from them”.

Quote attributable to Jean Giese CEO, VolunteeringACT

“VolunteeringACT wants to acknowledge the ACT Government’s open and collaborative response on this issue. This is a win for the 279,000 volunteers in our city: your voices have been heard. Our joint advocacy with volunteers, community organisations and Government has demonstrated the power of collective action and the value that community places on volunteering.

“VolunteeringACT now renews its focus on delivering the ACT Volunteering Strategy – a roadmap to deliver safe, ethical and sustainable volunteering for all Canberrans. A key component of the strategy is to ensure the appropriate safeguards are in place for volunteering to occur. We are committed to productive conversations with Government, ACTCOSS and other partners to find solutions to the systemic issues within the Scheme. The ACT has a strong volunteering legacy, and this is a clear signal that volunteering will continue to thrive now, and into the future.”

Quote attributable to Dr Devin Bowles, CEO of the ACT Council of Social Services (ACTCOSS)

“Volunteers are critical to making our city a genuine community, and help alleviate the impacts of poverty and disadvantage. The Government’s decision demonstrates the value that they place on volunteers.

“ACTCOSS is grateful for the community’s strong support for volunteering. We appreciate the Government’s willingness to listen deeply to the community and its considered engagement on this issue.

“ACTCOSS looks forward to continuing to work with the Government and Volunteering ACT to ensure that the future of volunteering in the ACT remains bright.”

– Statement ends –

Tara Cheyne, MLA | Suzanne Orr, MLA | Media Releases

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