Boots has launched a private Vitamin B12 Injection Service in over 145 locations throughout the UK, offering a way for eligible individuals to manage their nutrient levels and tackle deficiencies. Vitamin B12 is vital for various bodily functions, particularly in maintaining a healthy nervous system.

A deficiency in this essential vitamin can result in health issues such as fatigue, low energy, and muscle weakness. Boots’ Vitamin B12 Service is tailored to those who might have dietary gaps, particularly individuals following strict vegetarian or plant-based diets, as B12 is mainly found in meat, fish, and dairy products.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is notably common among older adults, affecting roughly one in ten people aged 75 and over, and one in twenty aged 65 to 74, according to NHS data. Customers become eligible for a single injection if their Boots Vitamin B12 Blood Test Kit yields a ‘low’ B12 result within the month prior to their appointment.

Following the appointment, a Boots healthcare professional will advise the customer to visit their GP for further testing and to explore any potential underlying causes. The service also allows for regular injection administration to adults 18 and over who have been diagnosed by their GP with a permanent cause of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Claire Nevinson, Boots’ superintendent pharmacist, stated: “By launching our Vitamin B12 Service, we’re giving customers easy access to the nutritional support they might need, exactly when they need it. This service complements our own brand Vitamin B12 Blood Test Kit, creating a smooth, comprehensive private testing experience that connects customers to expert clinical advice, along with services and products informed by their results. It exemplifies how Boots can be the go-to destination for healthcare needs, including managing nutrition and treating deficiencies, all conveniently located on the high street.”

Bookings and pricing

Each session is approximately 20 minutes long and costs £29 per injection. Customers can book an appointment online at boots.com or visit a participating store directly.

The Vitamin B12 Service represents the newest addition to Boots’ growing portfolio of more than180 healthcare offerings, delivered in-store for the NHS as well as privately, plus digital private services through Boots Online Doctor.

For those wondering whether this service might benefit them, Claire Nevinson addresses three frequently asked questions regarding 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 warning signs of 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.”

Could vitamin B12 deficiency prove dangerous?

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 available in selected stores and is subject to eligibility criteria and charges. It is subject to availability. Boots stated that food supplements were intended to supplement the diet and should not be regarded as a substitute for a balanced and varied diet or a healthy lifestyle.