Prime minister Boris Johnson visited a Boots-run Covid booster vaccination centre in his constituency of Uxbridge in West London yesterday (January 10).

The visit coincides with the one-year anniversary of the multiple taking part in the NHS coronavirus vaccination campaign. Boots says that since opening it first vaccination centre in Halifax in January 2021, 1.4 million jabs have been given across more than 80 sites.

Boots vaccination programme director Nick Sunderland: “We are so proud of our pharmacists who have worked incredibly hard to support the national effort to accelerate the COVID-19 booster vaccination programme.

“It is thanks to them that we have been able to increase our appointment capacity and it is great to have the prime minister recognise the important role that community pharmacy has played in the success of the COVID-19 vaccination programme to date.”

Boots Uxbridge store manager Karthick Chakrapani said: “Working on the front lines of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is a real honour. Our patients tell us that they value the opportunity to get their booster at their local pharmacy – it is convenient and an environment they are already familiar with.

“As healthcare professionals, we know that the booster is vitally important in reducing the chances of people getting seriously unwell as a result of COVID-19 and we encourage anyone who has not yet had their booster to book an appointment as soon as possible.”