Who is this service suitable for?
The service is suitable for customers aged 12 and over.
Eligibility criteria apply. Subject to availability in selected stores only. Excludes NI. All services are at the discretion of the pharmacist. Clubcard/app required to earn points.
How to book an appointment
Ask one of our pharmacists when shopping in store or book online via tesco.com/shop/en-GB/zone/flujab
How much does the service cost?
£17 for a single vaccination. For returning customers who had a flu vaccination with Tesco in 2025, the price will be frozen at £16. You can earn Clubcard points with this service (£1 spent = 1 point). Clubcard/app required.
What to expect from your appointment
You’ll receive a single vaccination from a trained Tesco pharmacist in a private consultation room. It will be given in your upper arm, and the appointment will take around 20 minutes.
What is flu?
Flu (influenza) is a common and highly infectious viral illness. You can catch flu all year round, but it’s especially common in winter. This is why it’s also known as 'seasonal flu'.
You can catch flu multiple times because flu viruses change regularly. Your body won’t have a natural resistance to the new versions of the virus.
Common symptoms
A sudden high temperature, tiredness and weakness, a headache, general aches and pains, a dry, chesty cough, sore throat, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, diarrhoea or tummy pain, feeling sick and being sick, chills, a runny or blocked nose, sneezing.
How well does the flu vaccination work?
The flu vaccine aims to protect you against the most common types of flu viruses.
There's still a chance you might get flu after getting vaccinated, but it's likely to be milder and not last as long.
The vaccine usually takes up to 14 days to work.
Protection from the flu vaccine goes down with time and the types of flu virus the vaccine protects against are updated each year. This is why it's important to get the flu vaccine every year.
Can I have a vaccination if I feel unwell?
If you have a high temperature or feel unwell, wait until you're feeling better before having your vaccination.
Are there any side effects from the vaccine?
The most common side effects of the flu vaccine are mild and get better within 1 to 2 days. They can include:
- pain or soreness where the injection was given,
- a slightly raised temperature,
- an aching body
More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) are very rare. The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
The injected flu vaccines used in the UK do not contain live flu viruses. They cannot give you flu.
Who is at risk?
Flu can be more than just a bad cold. It can lead to days off work (or school) and cause more serious health complications, even in healthy people.
By getting vaccinated, you help protect those around you who are more vulnerable to complications arising from flu, like the elderly, young children, and people with certain health conditions.
Am I eligible for a free NHS vaccination?
You can get the free NHS flu vaccine if you:
- are aged 65 or over
- have certain long-term health conditions (for example a heart problem, diabetes or lowered immunity due to a disease or treatment)
- are pregnant
- live in a residential or care home
- are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or receive a carer's allowance
- live with someone who has a weakened immune system
- are a frontline health and social care worker
- have a BMI of 40 or over
Is there anything else I need to know about my appointment?
The vaccination will be given in the upper arm, so it’s helpful to wear short sleeves or loose sleeves that can be rolled up.
