Boots has launched a private Vitamin B12 Injection Service in over 145 stores across the UK, offering eligible customers a convenient way to manage essential nutrient levels and treat deficiencies.  

Vitamin B12 performs important functions in the body, including keeping the nervous system healthy. A deficiency in either of these vitamins can cause a wide range of health issues including tiredness, a lack of energy and muscle weakness. 

The Boots Vitamin B12 Service* aims to help those that may have nutritional gaps in their diet, such as those who are following a strict plant-based or vegetarian diet, as vitamin B12 is typically found in meat, fish and dairy. Vitamin B12 deficiency is also more common in older people, affecting around 1 in 10 people aged 75 or over and 1 in 20 people aged 65 to 74.¹

Customers are eligible for a single jab if they have received a ‘low’ vitamin B12 result from the Boots Vitamin B12 Blood Test Kit in the month prior to their appointment.** The service also allows for regular administration of the jab to adults aged 18 and over who have a confirmed diagnosis of a permanent cause of vitamin B12 deficiency from their GP. 

Claire Nevinson, Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots, said: “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.”  

Each appointment takes around 20 minutes and costs £29 per dose. Customers can book an appointment online at boots.com or simply walk into a participating store. 

The Vitamin B12 Service is the latest addition to Boots expanding range of over 180 healthcare services, which are delivered in-store on behalf of the NHS as well as privately, alongside digital private services powered by Boots Online Doctor.  

For those considering whether the service could help them, Claire Nevinson answers three commonly asked questions about vitamin B12. 

“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.” 

“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.”  

“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.” 

*Selected stores only. Eligibility criteria and charges apply. Subject to availability. Food Supplements are intended to supplement the diet and should not be regarded as a substitute for a balanced and varied diet or a healthy lifestyle. 

** Following the appointment, a Boots healthcare professional will signpost the customer to their GP to undergo further testing and determine any underlying causes. 

¹Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia, NHS, 2025