Getting a flu jab is always a good idea, as it offers important protection against the virus over the winter months when it becomes more common.
Note that the flu jab protects against several of the main strains of the virus, which can change every year.
Last year was a particularly big year for flu jabs with greater levels of social activity following the pandemic, which resulted in the Government offering millions more free flu jabs than usual, including for secondary school students up to Year 11.
Get cold & flu medications delivered to your home with Chemist Direct
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our daily newsletter and let us send the news to you!
How to get a free flu jab 2023
You can get a free flu vaccine on the NHS, as long as one of the following applies:
-
You are aged 65 or over on 31 March 2024;
-
You are pregnant;
-
You are in long-stay residential care;
-
You are a health or social care worker employed by a registered residential care home, nursing home, hospice, or home care organisation;
-
You suffer from a severe long-term health condition such as severe asthma or diabetes (consult with your doctor to find out if you're eligible);
-
You receive a carer’s allowance or care for someone whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill.
If your child is between six months old and two years old and has a long-term health condition, or if they are two to three years old, they will be eligible for a free flu vaccine, as well as all primary school children.
Children between the ages of two and 17 with long-term health conditions are also eligible.
You'll also get a free flu jab if you’re an NHS-employed frontline healthcare worker and may get one if you're a close contact of an immunocompromised individual.
You can get your jab at your GP surgery, a local pharmacy that offers the service or through your midwifery service if you are pregnant.
Also, ask your employer as it’s possible that they offer free flu jabs.
Where to get a cheap 2023 flu jab in the UK
If you don’t qualify for a free flu jab, you can pay to get the jab at certain pharmacies.
Sadly, all the pharmacies we have checked have hiked the price of their jab since last flu season, so you should expect to pay £2 or £3 more this time around.
At the time of publishing, Superdrug offers the cheapest UK flu jab at £8.79. The catch is you need to have a Health & Beauty loyalty card to qualify for that price, otherwise, you'll be charged a hefty £16.99.
If you don't need the jab urgently, consider applying for the Superdrug loyalty card beforehand.
Don't fancy going to Superdrug? We've run through the most popular places for getting the jab and how much it will cost at each.
While we’ve focused on the national outlets offering the flu vaccine, your local independent pharmacy may also offer it for less, so it's worth checking there as well.
You’ll probably need a consultation with your pharmacist or GP before the jab is given.
If you’re planning a walk-in appointment, it’s worth calling the supermarket or pharmacy beforehand to check availability.
Get cold & flu medications delivered to your door with Chemist Direct
Cheap Asda flu jab 2023
Asda’s flu jab costs £12, up from £9.98 last year.
You can book a flu jab appointment online. Use the store locator to find your nearest Asda.
Heading to Asda? Here's how to save on your next shop.
Cheap Boots flu jab 2023
At Boots, the price of the flu jab has risen from £16.99 to £19.95. You can book a Boots flu jab appointment online.
Looking for your nearest Boots? Use the store locator to help you find your local pharmacy.
Cheap Lloyds Pharmacy flu jab 2023
The flu jab at Lloyds Pharmacy will cost you £16.99 this year.
To find your nearest pharmacy, use the store locator.
Cheap Morrisons flu jab 2023
Morrisons is another firm yet to reveal its flu jab cost for this year. Last year it hiked its price from £8 to £10.
Once it is up and running, you can book an appointment in-store - use the store finder to find your nearest store.
Morrisons shopping tricks, tips and hacks to save money
Cheap Superdrug flu jab 2023
Superdrug has confirmed its flu jab will cost £16.99, though you can cut that to £8.79 if you have a Health & Beauty card.
You can book your Superdrug flu jab online here. To find your nearest Superdrug, use the store locator.
Cheap Tesco flu jab 2023
The flu jab at Tesco will cost £13, up from £11 last year. It's available at selected Tesco pharmacies and you can book an appointment online.
To find your nearest Tesco, use the store locator.
Should you be planning to do a shop while you're at Tesco, make sure you read our top tips to save every time.
Want more stories like this? Visit the loveMONEY homepage or sign up for our daily newsletter and let us send the news to you!
*This article contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission on any sales of products or services we write about. This article was written completely independently.