The vaccine will be administered to all people above 18 years of age from May 1, amid the second wave of the Coronavirus epidemic going on in the country.
For this, the government has given the states the right to purchase the vaccine directly from the companies, but many state governments have objected to the prices announced by the companies.
Given this, the Central Government has now asked the Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech to reduce their prices.
The vaccine will be given to people above 18 years of age in the country from May 1
In view of the increasing infection in the country, on April 19, the central government announced starting the third phase of the vaccination campaign in the country from May 1 and introducing the vaccine to all people above the age of 18.
In addition to this, the government also gave the state governments the right to purchase directly from the vaccine manufacturers. Similarly, the companies were allowed to sell 50 per cent of the supplies in the states and the open market.
SII was the first to announce its price
Serum Institute of India (SII) announced its prices on April 21 after selling the vaccine. During that time, the company had said that it would sell ‘Covishield’ to the state governments at the rate of Rs 400 and to private hospitals at the rate of Rs 600 per dose.
Simultaneously, the central government will continue to get the vaccine at the rate of Rs 150 per dose as per the earlier agreement. There was a lot of opposition across the country.
Bharat Biotech keeps ‘covaxin’ price higher than SII.
Bharat Biotech, which produces ‘covaxin’ after SII, announced its prices on Sunday. In this, the company had said that it would sell ‘Covaxin’ to the state governments at Rs 600 and to private hospitals at Rs 1,200 per dose.
Also, the vaccine will be exported for $ 15-30 (Rs 1,124 to Rs 1,499) per dose. This price is far more than the price of SII.
Constant opposition to vaccine prices
After the announcement of the vaccine prices by both the companies, the opposition and the chief ministers of many states are continuously opposing it. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said that it is wrong to give the vaccine at a different cost to the Center and the states. There should be ‘one vaccine one rate’ for the country.
Similarly, the opposition is also constantly besieging the government over the price differential.
According to Hindustan Times, the central government has taken a significant step after the difference in vaccine prices and increasing opposition.
The government has asked SII and Bharat Biotech to reduce the price of their vaccines. The Center says that from May 1, all people above 18 years of age will be vaccinated and consume many vaccines. In such a situation, companies should rethink their prices and reduce them.
Also Read: COVID-19: 21,890 people test positive in Kerala; 28 deaths