Superdrug has announced it will launch the “cheapest private flu vaccination service on the high street” this September, charging £12 less than Boots – but only for Superdrug loyalty card holders.

The company said its private flu jabs will be priced at £8.79 for its 17.2 million health and beauty card members and £16.99 for non-members, adding that the 2023-24 service will be available from 150 of its stores with a pharmacy.

The company said it was doing this “to increase its accessibility to people this winter including the 11 million 50-65 year olds who are no longer eligible for the NHS flu vaccination service” following a change to NHS England’s inclusion criteria.

The non-member price, an increase of £1 from 2022-23, is more in line with those being charged by other UK multiples, several of which have raised their costs compared to last year.

Boots has priced its private service at £19.95, up from an initial cost of £16.99 in 2022-23 before it cut prices later in the season. Well Pharmacy is charging £17.99 (initial cost of £15 in 2022-23), Rowlands Pharmacy £16.99 and Tesco £13.

Asda and Lloyds are both charging £12, with the former increasing its price from £9.98 last year and the latter charging the same. P3pharmacy has asked Morrisons to confirm the price of its service in 2023-24.

The 2022-23 flu vaccination season saw the multiples compete to slash their prices after the early season rush, with Well Pharmacy scrapping the fee for private flu vaccinations altogether by mid-January.

Superdrug said it is “predicting an increase in its private flu vaccination services in comparison to last year’s bookings, as patients look for alternative options as they prepare for the winter season”. 

Superdrug healthcare director Ghada Beal said: “Our waiting list for private flu vaccination services has already surpassed the numbers from last year, showing that there’s even more of a demand this year.

“It’s great to be able to offer this service at a more accessible price-point for our customers as we know the change in eligibility will affect millions of people. 

“Our private flu vaccination services offer a convenient way for people to help protect themselves against flu and its potentially serious problems.”