Yamal's Free Vitamin D Program Reaches Over 45,000 Children in Three Years

A free vitamin D programme for young children has been running in Yamal since 2024. The initiative provides supplements to infants and toddlers to support healthy growth. Over three years, more than 45,500 children have benefited from the scheme.

The programme began in 2024, offering vitamin D drops to children from birth up to three years old. The supplement is prescribed by paediatricians during routine visits, home check-ups, or telemedicine appointments. Parents receive the drops at no cost.

Dosage varies by age: infants under one year take 1,000 units (two drops), while children aged one to three receive 1,500 units (three drops). The standard preventive course requires two bottles per year, with doses given every three months. This schedule helps prevent calcium deficiency, which can lead to conditions like rickets. In its first year, 21,106 children received the supplement. The number slightly dropped to 19,793 in 2025, with an additional 5,000 children covered in 2026. The vitamin supports bone and tooth development, immune function, and nervous system health in young children.

The regional scheme has now delivered free vitamin D to tens of thousands of children in Yamal. By ensuring regular doses, the programme aims to reduce health risks linked to deficiency. Parents continue to access the supplement through standard medical consultations.