Boots has launched a new private vaccination service for individuals who wish to protect themselves against the chickenpox virus. The service is available in 30 of the pharmacy retailer’s stores to individuals aged between one and 65.

The service consists of two vaccinations given six weeks apart at a total cost of £130. The appointments, at which a trained pharmacist will carry out the vaccination as well as a consultation, will take around 20 minutes, Boots says.

Asif Aziz, director of pharmacy services at Boots UK, said the company is “delighted to be able to offer the Boots Chickenpox Vaccination Service in 30 of our stores."

Mr Aziz said: “The introduction of this service highlights the enhanced role that community pharmacies can play in supporting those services offered by the NHS and GPs, as well as the excellent clinical skills our trained pharmacists offer to support patients’ health in locations and at times that are convenient to them.”