Boots has rolled out a new service for customers. Its private Vitamin B12 Injection Service will be available in more than 145 shops across the UK, providing eligible customers with a solution to manage essential nutrient levels and address deficiencies. Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in the body, including maintaining a healthy nervous system.

A lack of these vitamins can lead to numerous health problems, such as fatigue, low energy and muscle weakness. The Boots Vitamin B12 Serviceis designed to assist those who might have nutritional gaps in their diet, like those following a strict plant-based or vegetarian diet, as vitamin B12 is typically found in meat, fish and dairy products.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is also more prevalent in older individuals, affecting approximately one in 10 people aged 75 or above and one in 20 people aged 65 to 74, according to NHS data. Customers qualify for a single injection if they have received a 'low' vitamin B12 result from the Boots Vitamin B12 Blood Test Kit in the month before their appointment.

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After the appointment, a Boots healthcare professional will direct the customer to their GP for further testing and to identify any underlying causes. The service also permits regular administration of the injection to adults aged 18 and above who have a confirmed diagnosis of a permanent cause of vitamin B12 deficiency from their GP.

Claire Nevinson, superintendent pharmacist at Boots, explained: "The launch of our Vitamin B12 Service helps provide customers with convenient access to nutritional support they may need, when they need it. It builds on the offering of our own brand Vitamin B12 Blood Test Kit, allowing us to offer a seamless, end-to-end private testing journey to customers, connecting them to expert advice from a clinician alongside products and services based on their results. It's a great example of how people can use Boots as a first port of call for their healthcare needs, which include managing nutrition and treating deficiencies, right on the high street."

Bookings and prices

Every appointment lasts approximately 20 minutes and costs £29 per dose. Shoppers can arrange an appointment online at boots.com or pop into a taking part store.

The Vitamin B12 Service marks the newest addition to Boots' growing selection of more than 180 healthcare services, delivered in-store on the NHS's behalf as well as privately, plus digital private services through Boots Online Doctor. For people wondering whether the service might benefit them, Claire Nevinson tackles three frequently asked questions about vitamin B12.

What is vitamin B12?

Claire explained: "Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in the body. It is mostly found in meat and dairy foods including fish, milk, cheese, eggs and some fortified foods such as breakfast cereals and plant-based milks. If you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, it can be hard to get enough B12 as it's not naturally found in foods such as fruit, vegetables, or grains.

"Most people will get enough vitamin B12 from a healthy balanced diet, but you could consider taking a supplement or exploring the Boots Vitamin B12 Service if you have nutritional gaps in your diet or if you have an underlying cause for deficiency."

What are the signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency?

Claire said: "Some of the most common symptoms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency include feeling weak or fatigued, shortness of breath, appetite loss, headaches, mouth ulcers, digestive problems and feelings of mild depression. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you should visit your GP."

Is a vitamin B12 deficiency serious?

Claire warned: "You should see a GP as soon as possible if you think you may have a vitamin B12 deficiency for testing and if required treatment. Your GP can help you understand the cause of your symptoms or deficiency as well.

"In most cases, a vitamin B12 deficiency can be easily treated. If you have low levels due to nutritional gaps in your diet but are not deficient, you could consider adding a daily vitamin supplement to your diet."

The new service is on offer in certain stores and comes with eligibility criteria and charges. It's also subject to availability. Boots emphasised that food supplements are meant to complement the diet and should not be seen as a replacement for a balanced, varied diet or a healthy lifestyle.