Boots has announced plans to expand its private Covid-19 vaccination service amid a ‘spike’ in sales for test kits.

According to the retailer, purchases of test kits almost tripled in June this year compared to the same period in 2023.

Boots also reported rising sales for medicines that can relieve symptoms for Covid-19, coughs, colds and flu – up 32% last month compared with June 2023, and more than quadrupling year on year for the week commencing 23 June.

Due to high demand, the pharmacy chain has announced an expansion of its private Covid-19 vaccination service.

Originally launched in 50 stores in England in April this year, the service is to be rolled out to a further 30 stores, including some in Scotland and Wales.

Jamie Kerruish, Boots’ healthcare director, said: ‘Our private service builds on our delivery of Covid-19 vaccinations for the NHS. We are seeing a wide range of patients choose to get a Covid-19 vaccination privately and demand for the service has been higher than we anticipated.

‘We expect it will continue to rise in the autumn and winter months,’ Mr Kerruish added.

The service is available to patients aged 12 or over and is priced at £98.95.