The government’s health agency states that relying on dietary sources in these months is not enough to meet the recommended daily intake of 10 micrograms.
People whose skin has little or no exposure to the sun, like those in institutions such as care homes, risk deficiency, PHE claims.
Dr Louis Levy, head of nutrition science at PHE, said: “A healthy, balanced diet and short bursts of sunshine will mean most people get all the vitamin D they need in spring and summer.
“However, everyone will need to consider taking a supplement in the autumn and winter if you don’t eat enough foods that naturally contain vitamin D or are fortified with it.
“And those who don’t get out in the sun or always cover their skin when they do, should take a vitamin D supplement throughout the year.”
Vitamin D is found naturally in a small number of foods including oily fish, red meat, liver and egg yolks and in fortified food like breakfast cereals and fat spreads.