Customers will need to book their flu jab appointment at one of the 254 Asda pharmacies around the country before October 23, Asda specified earlier this week (September 26).

They will then be able to use the reward in store by that date, a spokesperson added.

The supermarket chain also offers free NHS flu jabs to eligible patients, although these are not covered by the incentive scheme.

Superintendent pharmacist Faisal Tuddy said that the company wants to “give back to shoppers who book their jab, which is why we’re giving Asda Rewards users the opportunity to earn some money in their cash pot, which they can then put towards their essentials”.

He added that the supermarket chain expects to open “several walk-in clinics” for flu jabs throughout the season.

Asda has already opened its flu jab booking system in store and online.

 

Every little helps

 

Meanwhile, Tesco customers can earn Clubcard points on every private flu jab they receive at the supermarket chain’s pharmacies, it has announced

However, the supermarket does not incentivise NHS flu jabs with Clubcard points as per NHS guidelines, a spokesperson clarified to C+D.

Boots has offered a limited number of offers to encourage customers who are not eligible for a free jab to book a private flu vaccination appointment, the multiple told C+D.

C+D has asked Boots for details on these offers.

Read more: NHS tests pharmacy flu jab booking portal in effort to ‘increase uptake’

Lloydspharmacy told C+D it will not be offering incentives to private customers this flu season.

“Rather than focusing on incentives, we are committed to educating and providing expert advice to our customers and patients about the importance of getting their flu vaccine early – to protect themselves, their loved ones, and the NHS,” a spokesperson added.

 

What do the multiples charge for private flu jabs?

 

Asda claims to offer the cheapest private flu jab on the market at £9.98.

Prices for private flu jab vaccinations cost £11 a pop at Tesco this year, while Rowlands branches charge £14.99 – marking a 1p cheaper price point than competitor Well, which is offering private flu jabs for £15 each.

Meanwhile, prices for private flu jabs are set at £16.99 in Lloydspharmacy and Boots branches.

Employees at Tesco who are not eligible for a free NHS jab can pay £5.50 for a private vaccination, a spokesperson specified.

Read more: 50-64-year-olds now eligible for free flu jab in 2022/23 season, DH confirms

 

Rowlands gives 33k jabs in September alone

 

Meanwhile a Rowlands Pharmacy spokesperson said that people choose to get their flu jabs at its chain of pharmacies “because we are local, convenient, friendly and trusted”.

The multiple will encourage those eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination to get jabbed, including those over 50, who will be able to get vaccinated for free from mid-October.

“We have already provided over 33,000 [flu jabs] in September and expect to provide another 80,000 in October,” the Rowlands spokesperson added.

Pharmacies have predicted an increased demand for this year’s flu vaccination service, after government guidance issued in July indicated “this year could see higher levels of influenza due to increased social activity, international travel and reduced use of face masks following the pandemic”.

Last year proved a record-breaking year for the national flu vaccine rollout, which saw pharmacy teams in England smash their previous flu jab administration record within just two months of launching the 2021/22 service.