A day before the Covid vaccine booster shots become effective for all Indian adults, the cost of Covishield and Covaxin has been slashed by more than half in non-public hospitals. A dose of both the vaccines will now cost Rs 225. Covishield has been reduced from Rs 600, Covaxin from Rs 1,200 per dose. Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla and Bharat Biotech co-founder Suchitra Ella made the announcement on Twitter today. A decision was taken once in consultation with the Centre. Mr Poonawala advised NDTV that CoviShield will be priced at Rs 600 plus tax (as before).
“We are pleased to announce that after dialogue with the Central Government, SII has determined to revise the charge of COVISHIELD vaccine for personal hospitals from Rs.600 to Rs 225 per dose. We as soon as once more commend this decision from the Centre to open precautionary dose to all 18 ,” Mr Poonawala tweeted.
“Announcing #CovaxinPricing. We welcome the selection to make accessible precautionary dose for all adults. In session with the Central Government, we have determined to revise the price of #COVAXIN from Rs 1200 to Rs 225 per dose, for #privatehospitals,” Ms Ella tweeted quickly after.
Mr Poonawala welcomed the Centre’s announcement earlier today. Calling it a necessary and timely decision, he said people who wish to travel are finding it difficult to do so without a third dose as several countries have now imposed restrictions on those who have not taken the booster dose.
“The ongoing free immunization program will be continued and accelerated through immunization centers for health care workers, frontline workers and 60 population as precautionary doses as appropriate for the first and second doses of the authorities,” a government announcement said earlier in the day.
About 96 percent of the U.S. population 15 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and about 83 percent have received every dose, it added.
More than 2.4 crore precautionary doses have also been given to healthcare workers, frontline workers and the over 60s. Also, 45 percent of beneficiaries among crew aged 12-14 years have received the first dose, the ministry said.
