New Delhi: A day after Prime Minister announced turnaround in India’s Covid-19 vaccination policy for firming up the inoculating drive, the Centre on Tuesday issued an order capping the prices for administration of three approved Covid vaccines in private hospitals across the country.
The maximum price that can be charged per dose by private vaccine centres is Rs 780 for Covishield, Rs 1,410 for Covaxin and Rs 1,145 for Sputnik V.
The Govt order also warns of action if private vaccination centres or hospitals are caught charging more than has been decided upon.
The prices are inclusive of 5% GST and up to Rs 150 service charge. Also, the new prices have been announced after discussions with the vaccine manufacturers, said the health ministry.
The final costs are based on price per dose declared by manufacturers (Rs 600 for Covishield; Rs 1,200 for Covaxin and Rs 948 for Sputnik V), plus GST at the rate of 5 pc and maximum service charge of Rs 150 per dose.
44 crore orders for Covishield, Covaxin given
Earlier in the day, the Health Ministry announced that the government has placed orders for 44 crore doses of Covishield and Covaxin combined and they will be delivered by the manufacturers between August and December 2021.
30 per cent of the advance for procurement of both the COVID-19 vaccines has been released to Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech.
