Boots UK has said 55 of its stores will take part in the NHS Covid-19 booster vaccination programme in England.

Yesterday the multiple announced its participation in the booster campaign, which it said will follow on from its “delivery of over 800,000 first and second Covid-19 vaccinations since January 2021”.

As in the first stages of the programme, jabs will be given in “special vaccination hubs,” with patients to be offered a free NHS flu jab as well if they are eligible, subject to supply in store.

Boots chief pharmacist Marc Donovan said: “We are delighted to continue to support NHS England to deliver its Covid-19 vaccination programme by administering booster jabs at select stores.

“We are also pleased that we can offer eligible patients a free NHS flu jab when they visit us for their appointment – we hope that it will drive uptake of both vaccines, which are equally important. “

Well Pharmacy told Pharmacy Network News that it is also offering booster jabs from 55 of its stores.

Meanwhile, LloydsPharmacy could not confirm how many stores are currently taking part but told PNN: “We’re proud of the vital role that LloydsPharmacy has played in our communities throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. From ensuring the supply of medicines to patients, to administering COVID-19 vaccines and lateral flow tests, and offering healthcare advice, our colleagues have been at the forefront of the national response. 

“LloydsPharmacy has now also had the go-ahead to administer Covid-19 booster vaccines from a number of our community pharmacies, further supporting our local communities”

PNN has approached NHS England & Improvement to understand how many community pharmacy-led sites have been approved to take part in the booster campaign, but has not yet received a response.

Meanwhile, in a recent Well Pharmacy survey 63 per cent of respondents said they planned to get a flu jab this year, up from 46 per cent in a similar survey carried out ahead of the 2020 flu vaccination programme.