Boots UK is piloting a new pneumonia vaccination service to help raise the health of the nation by providing adults in their 50s, who are 40% more likely to get pneumonia than those in their 40s¹, with an option to protect themselves.

Pneumonia is one of the most common causes of death due to infection in the UK; with the nation having one of the highest mortality rates from pneumonia in Europe.² With the risk of catching pneumonia increasing with age, particularly after 50, the new pilot service that launched in December complements the pneumonia vaccination currently available on the NHS to those 65 and over or with a long-term health condition.

According to the British Lung Foundation, pneumonia affects around 1 in 25 UK adults each year, in particular during autumn and winter.³ 2016 has seen increasing awareness of pneumonia due to high profile individuals catching the infection. Despite this and the fact that people are generally aware of the availability of private flu vaccinations, the availability and benefit of pneumonia vaccination is less well known.

Richard Bradley, Pharmacy Director at Boots UK comments: ”Community pharmacy now plays a vital role in providing vaccinations when and where patients choose to have them. By offering this pneumonia service we both complement the vaccination that is available on the NHS and also boost a patient’s overall protection against pneumonia by providing those still in an at risk age group who are not eligible for an NHS vaccination, with the option to protect their health”.

Locally commissioned NHS pneumonia vaccines have been offered in community pharmacies in London for the last three years. The service, following a pilot in 26 stores is now being rolled out to an additional 25 stores in England and Wales and will cost £70. To book an appointment, customers can go in store or book online at boots.com/pneumonia.

 

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Notes to editors:

The current NHS vaccine protects against 23 strains of Pneumonia and the Boots UK vaccination protects against 13 strains, 12 of these which are also in the 23 strains. The service hopes to provide those in their 50s who are not eligible for an NHS vaccination, an option to better protect their health.

 

For more information please contact the Boots UK Press Office: 0115 959 5995 or email Claire.stuart@boots.co.uk         

 

About Boots UK

Boots UK (boots.com), the UK’s leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer, is part of the Retail Pharmacy International Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise.  With 2,509*stores in the UK, Boots UK is committed to providing exceptional customer and patient care, be the first choice for pharmacy and healthcare and offer innovative 'only at Boots' exclusive products such as the UK’s leading skincare brand No7, all delivered with the great value customers love. Created over 165 years ago, the Boots brand is still at the heart of the communities it serves.

*As of 31 August 2016, excluding equity method investments

 

North West England, South West England and Wales have higher death rates from pneumonia than the UK general. ¹

 

References:

1. https://statistics.blf.org.uk/pneumonia
2. https://www.nooneexpects.co.uk/#expect-unexpected
3. Boots UK Study with the University of Nottingham New Study Reveals Who Uses Community Pharmacy for Flu Vaccinations  http://www.boots-uk.com/our-stories/new-study-reveals-who-uses-community-pharmacy-for-flu-vaccinations/