As we wave goodbye to summer and stroll into autumn, for many, you’ll already be thinking about the winter season.

And with winter comes colds, coughs and flu. One way to help protect yourself from the virus is to get a flu jab, and while certain people can get it for free (see list below), others need to pay for it privately.

YourMoney.com compared the cost of private flu vaccinations from some major pharmacies, supermarkets and health retailers, and can reveal that prices have soared – some have doubled from the same retailer – since the winter of 2022 and 2023.

Here’s what we found:

Asda

During the last winter and flu jab season, Asda initially charged £9.98 before the price was halved to £4.98 between December 2022 and March 2023.

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For this winter season, it is offering the private medical jab service for £12. This is a £2.02 difference, or a 20% increase from the initial/standard cost, but £7.02 (140%) more expensive compared to the previous discounted price.

Asda is not running any loyalty bonus offers on the flu jab service which runs till 31 March 2024.

Boots

Last winter season, Boots charged £16.99, though the price did drop to £9.95. This winter season, its private winter flu jab service is available at selected Boots stores and costs £19.95. That’s nearly £3 more than last year, but double the cost from when it was reduced.

Customers with a Boots Advantage Card can collect three points for every £1 spent, including on the flu vaccine.

Lloyds Pharmacy

Last year during flu season, Lloyds Pharmacy reduced the price of its private flu vaccination from £16.99 to £12.

It is currently “reviewing its flu service offering” so couldn’t confirm the price for this winter’s flu season or if it would even continue to offer the flu vaccine to customers.

Morrisons

From this week, Morrisons is offering flu vaccinations for £12 if you have a Morrisons More Card – that’s its loyalty scheme for shoppers. It’s free to sign up and allows customers to collect points on certain products, as well as gives exclusive discounts on selected goods.

It may be worth getting as for non-cardholders, the private flu service at Morrisons pharmacies costs £2 more at £14.

Last year, the cost was set at £8 which shows the price has increased by 50% (£4) or 75% for non-loyalty card members.

Superdrug

Last winter, Superdrug offered a private flu service which cost £15.99 between September 2022 and January 2023 before the price was cut to £8.99 for the remainder of the flu season.

This September onwards, it has split the cost for loyalty cardholders and non-members.

For those with a Superdrug Health & Beautycard, the flu jab costs £8.79, which is 20p cheaper than the discounted price in the last flu season.

But for those without it, it may be worth getting one otherwise you’ll pay a hefty £16.99 for the vaccine – more than double the cost compared to card members, and £1 more expensive than the initial cost last year.

It’s free to sign up for the Health & Beautycard so anyone can receive the discount.

A Superdrug spokesperson, said: “Superdrug always likes to offer the best deals to its Health and Beautycard members and loyal customers, and the flu vaccination service is another one where members can benefit from a discounted price.”

Tesco

The supermarket giant last offered the flu jab at £5 for Tesco Clubcard members while non-cardholders were charged £11.

This time round the flu jab, available at 342 Tesco pharmacies costs a flat £13 so it is no longer cutting the cost depending on if you’re a loyalty card member or not.

Well Pharmacy

Last flu season, the pharmacy was offering free flu vaccinations from January 2023 (£15 earlier) but this year it is charging £17.99 for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended vaccine which costs more than other vaccines recommended by the NHS.

Why are flu jab costs increasing?

It is understood that the costs associated with the vaccine, together with logistics fees and training have contributed to the price increases.

President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, professor Claire Anderson, added: “A large cohort of patients will receive vaccinations at no cost from community pharmacies if they are eligible for a free vaccination under the inclusion criteria determined by the NHS.

“We believe it is crucial to make vaccinations as accessible and affordable as possible for those who are seeking to protect themselves and their families.”

Are you eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to adults who:

• Are 65 and over (including those who will be 65 by 31 March 2024)
• Have certain health conditions such as asthma (requiring steroid inhaler or tablets), diabetes, heart, kidney or liver disease, weakened immune system from HIV and AIDS
• Are pregnant
• Are in long-stay residential care
• Receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
• Live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis

You can get the flu vaccine from your GP surgery, a pharmacy offering the service – if you’re aged 18 or over, while some maternity services may offer this if you’re pregnant. You could also be offered the influenza vaccine at a hospital appointment.

For children, see the NHS’ flu vaccine page for more information.

Employers may also offer staff the chance to get a free flu jab so speak to your manager or HR to check.

Related: Government freezes free prescription age at 60 and How to save money on prescriptions and medication.