The Serum Institute of India (SII) on Wednesday fixed the prices of Covishield vaccine at Rs 400 per dose for state governments and Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals, even as many states like Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Assam and Uttar Pradesh announced free vaccinationto all above 18 years.
The Central government had said on Monday that everyone above 18 years of age will be eligible to get vaccinated against Covid-19 from 1 May.
The SII’s announcement came days after the Centre had announced its “Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National Covid-19 Vaccination Strategy” which will become effective from 1 May, and under which vaccine manufacturers would be free to supply 50% of their monthly doses to state governments and in the open market.
Currently, the Covishield vaccine costs Rs 250 in private hospitals, which is a highly subsidised rate as the Centre has till now been directly procuring the vaccine from SII. The Centre will continue to receive Covishield doses at Rs 150 each, which means it will be cheapest to get vaccine shot from Central government hospitals or establishments.
The vaccines will still be more affordable than foreign jabs, which cost anywhere from Rs 750 to Rs 1,500 a shot, SII said.
As part of the government’s new policy, 50% of the vaccine doses will be reserved for the Centre and the rest will be divided between states and private hospitals.
“Following the Government of India directives, we are announcing the prices of the Covishield vaccine—Rs 400 per dose for state governments and Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals,” the SII said. SII further said the company will serve 50% of the total production to the Government of India’s vaccination programme, and the remaining 50% of the capacity will be for the state governments and private hospitals.
“Furthermore, owing to the complexity, and urgency of the situation it is challenging to supply it independently to each corporate entity. We would urge all corporate and private individuals to access the vaccines through the state facilitated machinery and private health systems. Post 4-5 months, the vaccines will be made available in retail and free trade,” it said.
Meanwhile, a report from Patna said the Bihar government will provide the Covid-19 vaccine free of cost to all above 18 years of age, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced on Wednesday. “The Bihar government will provide Covid-19 vaccine free of cost to all above 18 years of age in the state,” Kumar tweeted in Hindi. The Bihar government has imposed a impose night curfew in the state amid rising Covid-19 cases.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan too announced on Wednesday that those above 18 years will be given free vaccination for Covid-19. “All above 18 above will be vaccinated in Madhya Pradesh free of cost,” he said. Chouhan said that the state government will come out with guidelines concerning the decision.
Assam and Uttar Pradesh governments have also said that they will vaccinate those above 18 years free of cost.
A report from Thiruvananthapuram said the Kerala government will provide the Covid-19 vaccine free of cost to all above 18 years of age, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Wednesday. Addressing media in Thiruvananthapuram, he also urged the Central government to give vaccines to the states for free as they are already under financial burden due to the coronavirus pandemic. “The state governments have been asked to buy vaccines. But states are already going through a financial burden because of Covid-19. Instead of pushing states to further economic crisis, the Centre should give vaccines to the states for free,” he said. “Kerala government is not going back on its promises, we will provide Covid-19 vaccine free of cost to all above 18 years of age,” he added.
A report from Raipur said expenses to vaccinate all aged above 18 years against Covid-19 in Chhattisgarh will be borne by the state government, said state Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday. He requested the Central government to ensure availability of adequate number of vaccines. “Expenses, to vaccinate all aged above 18 years in Chhattisgarh, will be borne by the state government. We will take all possible steps to protect our citizens’ lives. Request central government to ensure availability of adequate number of vaccines,” Baghel tweeted.
WITH AGENCY INPUTS