Covishield and Covaxin pricing at private hospitals have been lowered by more than half a day before Covid vaccination booster doses become available to all Indian adults. Both vaccine doses will now set you back Rs 225. Covishield has been reduced at Rs 600 each dose, while Covaxin has been reduced to Rs 1,200 per dose. The announcement was made today on Twitter by Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India, and Suchitra Ella, cofounder of Bharat Biotech. Following negotiations with the Centre, the decision was made.
“We are pleased to announce that after discussion with the Central Government, SII has decided to revise the price of COVISHIELD vaccine for private hospitals from Rs.600 to Rs 225 per dose. We once again commend this decision from the Centre to open precautionary dose to all 18+,” Mr Poonawala tweeted.
“Announcing #CovaxinPricing. We welcome the decision to make available precautionary dose for all adults. In consultation with the Central Government, we have decided to revise the price of #COVAXIN from Rs 1200 to Rs 225 per dose, for #privatehospitals,” Ms Ella tweeted soon after.
The Union Health Ministry announced on Friday that those over the age of 18 who have completed nine months after receiving the second dose will be eligible for the precaution dose.
Mr Poonawala applauded the announcement made by the Centre yesterday. He described it as a critical and timely decision, stating that people who wanted to travel were finding it difficult to do so without a third dose because several countries have placed restrictions on those who have not received a booster dose.
“Ongoing free vaccination programme through government vaccination centres for first and second dose as well as Precaution Dose to Healthcare Workers, Frontline Workers and 60+ population would continue and would be accelerated,” a government statement yesterday said.
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