Nearly Half of Parents Use Supplements to Protect Kids from Back-to-School Illnesses, Holland & Barrett Study Finds

HB Immunity Landscape
As families across Ireland prepare for the new school year and seasonal changes, Holland & Barrett is launching its nationwide Back-to-School Immunity Campaign. Offering personalised nutrition and supplement advice from trained experts both in-store and online, the campaign provides parents with practical, accessible guidance to support children’s immunity and overall household wellbeing. 
New nationwide research, conducted in August 2025 by Holland & Barrett, reveals the scale of wellness concerns as the new school year begins. The study found that one in three parents (33%) worry about their child falling ill when school resumes, rising to 41% among parents of primary school children. On average, children bring home between four and five bugs each school year – five for primary school children and four for those in secondary school. 

The research also showed that illness in the household leads to parents missing an average of 3.4 workdays each year, increasing to four days for parents of primary school children. In response, many families are taking preventative measures: nearly half (46%) report using supplements to help avoid back-to-school illnesses, 43% opt for flu immunisations, and 41% implement stricter hygiene routines at home. Additionally, parents said their children are most likely to catch their first cold or illness in October (33%) or November (33%). 

 

Beyond physical health, parents are also concerned about the emotional and academic challenges that come with the return to school. One in three (33%) worry about their child settling back into school routines – a figure that rises to 42% among primary school parents and 26% among secondary school parents. Academic pressures are another key concern, with 41% of parents overall expressing worry about homework-related stress, including nearly half (48%) of primary school parents and 40% of secondary school parents. 
Holland & Barrett Nutritionist, Emily Foster, shares her top five tips for supporting immunity in the household: 

  1. Start the day with nutritious foods – Incorporate natural yoghurt or kefir into breakfast meals to provide calcium and gut-friendly probiotics. 

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  3. Pack colourful, vitamin-rich fruits – Bananas, apples, and kiwis in lunchboxes can provide essential fibre and vitamin C to support immune health. 

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  5. Include omega-3 sources – Omega-3s can be tricky for kids, but adding salmon to a creamy pasta sauce or sardines to tacos is a great way to support intake. 

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  7. Supplements for children – Supplements can also play a valuable role in supporting immunity. Bluey Immune Support Mixed Berry 30 Gummies are a convenient way for kids to consume vitamin C and zinc, to support the functioning of their immune system and reduce tiredness and fatigue. Each daily serving (one gummy) contains 45mg vitamin C and 3.7mg zinc, both important for normal immune function. These vegan, berry-flavoured gummies are suitable for ages three to twelve.

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  9. Support adult immunity with supplements – Berocca Immuno Effervescent Tablets are excellent options, packed with zinc, copper, iron, and selenium, all key nutrients that support the immune system. 

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The Back-to-School Immunity Campaign is part of Holland & Barrett’s mission to educate, empower, and support family health. Families can access expert articles, enjoy savings on specially curated immunity bundle, and personalised wellness advice in-store or online at www.hollandandbarrett.ie  

 

  • For further information and product images, please contact hollandandbarrett@harrispr.ie  

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  • The Holland & Barrett Back-to-School Immunity Survey 2025 is based on national research conducted in August 2025 by iReach Insights for Harris PR, with responses from 856 parents across Ireland.   

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  • The Holland & Barrett Immunity Bundle is available online for just €40 – available to shop at: hollandandbarrett.ie/shop/product/holland-barrett-immunity-bundle-6100010211 

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  • Each bundle contains:

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    • Holland & Barrett Immunity Support Trail Mix “With Benefits” Strawberry & Cranberry – IE

    • Holland & Barrett Wellmune Vitamin Complex Orange Flavour Powder 30 Sachets – IE
    • Holland & Barrett Vitamin D 1000 I.U. 25ug 90 Tablets – IE
    • Holland & Barrett High Strength Effervescent Vit C & Zinc Orange Flavour 20 Tablets – IE
    • Bluey Immune Support Mixed Berry Flavour 30 Gummies – IE
    • Holland & Barrett Kids Multivitamin Strawberry 30 Gummies – IE
       

About Holland & Barrett 

 

Holland & Barrett is Europe’s leading wellness retailer with 69 store locations across Ireland. We make health and wellness a way of life for everyone, with a leading range of own brand, innovative vitamins, supplements, specialist foods, sports nutrition, and conscious beauty brands.  Established in 1870, Holland & Barrett has been trusted for wellness for over 150 years. Holland & Barrett has a retail presence of more than 1000 stores across 19 countries worldwide, including over 790 in the UK and Ireland, as well as a rapidly expanding e-commerce business. Holland & Barrett’s colleagues are “qualified to advise” with in depth training in nutrition and supplements to give accessible personalised advice to customers on their individual needs.   

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Viktoriia Hurska

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Vika joined Harris PR following her selection as the recipient of the 2025/26 Harris PR Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Bursary, developed in partnership with the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) and the Open Doors Initiative. Originally from Ukraine and displaced by war, Vika came to Ireland in 2022 and brings over eight years of experience in communications including a wealth of strategic insight, creativity, and international perspective.

 

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With over 20 years’ experience, both agency and in-house, Niamh is a versatile and passionate PR expert who joined the Harris PR team in 2020.

 

During the course of her career she has worked with a broad range of corporate entities and consumer brands from industries spanning retail, telecoms, and FMCG, and has been the recipient of a number of PRCA awards in recognition of her work. She later served on the judging panel for the annual industry awards for several years.

Niamh specialises in strategy, planning, media relations and influencer management at Harris PR, and is the account lead for a number of brands in the retail, food & beverage, health & wellness and travel & tourism sectors.

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Sonia established Harris PR in 2009, following a decade in agency PR and three years as a journalist with the Sunday Independent.  Her vision is to provide a truly people centric service, delivering standout creative work that moves the dial, while acting as an extension of client teams

 

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Sonia is committed to advancing DEI in the PR Industry, and recently commissioned research and prepared the first benchmark report and toolkit for employers on the state of DEI in PR Ireland.  An active member of the PRII, and co-founder of the DEI PR Bursary now in its third year, Sonia has recently joined the board of the PRCA, and is committed to driving more inclusive hiring and workplace practices throughout the industry.