Covid-19 vaccination phase 3: Amid controversy more than the price tag of Rs 600 per shot for Covishield vaccine, the Centre has issued a clarification saying that the Government of India will continue to procure each vaccines – Covaxin and Covishield – at Rs 150 per dose. “It is clarified that the government of India’s procurement price for both COVID-19 vaccines remains Rs 150 per dose. GOI procured doses will continue to be provided TOTALLY FREE to states,” the Ministry of Health mentioned in a tweet today. But the government steered clear of generating any comment on the larger rates that states and private hospitals will have to spend for getting these vaccines straight from producers.
The government has announced the third phase of the vaccination drive in which all above the age of 18 years will be eligible for jabs.
Under the new vaccination drive, which will start from May 1, there will be 3 diverse rates of the similar vaccine. While the Central government will continue to procure it at Rs 150 per dose, state governments will have to spend Rs 400 and private hospitals will be charged Rs 600.
So far, each vaccines had been becoming procured by Centre and it was then distributed to states. But now the Centre will purchase only 50 per cent of the provide and vaccine producers have been permitted to provide the rest of the vaccines straight to state governments and private hospitals. Following this announcement, the Serum Institute of India – which is manufacturing Covishield vaccine – announced that its vaccine will be obtainable for Rs 400 and Rs 600 per dose for state governments and private hospitals respectively.
This led to a controversy with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh citing some media reports wherein SII had claimed that it was generating a profit even at Rs 150 per shot.
Meanwhile, the Serum Institute of India has defended the pricing and mentioned that the initial pricing of Rs 150 per shot was based on advance funding.
“The initial price was kept low globally as it was based on advance funding given by those countries for at-risk vaccine manufacturing,” SII mentioned.
We at @SerumInstIndia have for the previous 5 decades been at the forefront of supplying vaccines and saving lives globally. We care about and respect each human life and strongly think in transparency, and therefore we hope our statement under can clear any confusions. pic.twitter.com/YQ3x38BuFL
— SerumInstituteIndia (@SerumInstIndia) April 24, 2021
“The current situation is extremely dire, the virus is constantly mutating while the public remains at risk. Identifying the uncertainty, we have to ensure sustainability as we must be able to invest in scaling up and expanding our capacity to fight the pandemic and save lives,” the corporation mentioned.