The in-store vaccination service – which costs £70 – was initially piloted across 26 stores in December, but is now being rolled out to an additional 25, the multiple said yesterday (January 19).

Plans to expand the service to further Boots branches later in the year “will very much depend on the review of the pilot”, a spokesperson told C+D.

Boots claims its scheme will “complement” the existing pneumonia vaccination service currently available on the NHS to those over 65 or with a long-term health condition.

Boots UK Pharmacy director Richard Bradley said community pharmacy plays a “vital role” in providing vaccinations “when and where patients choose to have them”.

“By offering this pneumonia service, we both complement the vaccination that is available on the NHS and also boost a patient’s overall protection against pneumonia, by providing those still in an at-risk age group who are not eligible for an NHS vaccination, with the option to protect their health,” he added.