Serum Institute's Covishield priced at Rs 400 for states, Rs 150 for centre

Photo used for representational purpose

After directives from the India government, Serum Institute of India (SII) on Wednesday announced that states will get Covishield at Rs 400 a dose, private hospitals at Rs 600 per dose. The price for centre stays at Rs 150 per dose.

The announcement came ahead of the new round of vaccinations from May 1 that will include all above 18 years.

As part of the government's new policy, 50 per cent of vaccine doses will be reserved for the Centre and the rest will be divided between states and private hospitals.

The SII said that the vaccines were still more affordable than foreign vaccines, which cost from Rs 750 to Rs 1,500 per jab.

"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," said SII.

On Tuesday, SII hailed the government's initiative to provide financial aid to manufacturers to ramp up production of COVID-19 vaccine in the country.

"On behalf of the vaccine industry in India, I would like to thank and applaud Shri @narendramodi Ji, @nsitharaman Ji, for your decisive policy changes and swift financial aid which will help vaccine production and distribution in India," SII CEO Adar Poonawalla said in a tweet.

In order to ramp up supplies ahead of the opening of COVID-19 vaccination to all citizens over 18 years of age, the government has approved a payment of about Rs 4,500 crore as advance to vaccine makers like Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech against future supplies, sources said.

SII will supply 200 million doses and Bharat Biotech is to supply another 90 million doses to the government by July at a pre-agreed rate of Rs 150 per dose.

Sources said the finance ministry has relaxed rules to allow advance payment without bank guarantee to help the vaccine makers ramp up production.

SII will get Rs 3,000 crore in advance and Bharat Biotech about Rs 1,500 crore. Earlier this month, Poonawalla had said that the company would require around Rs 3,000 crore to ramp up production capacity for making vaccines for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the government on Monday allowed citizens over the age of 18 years to receive COVID-19 vaccination from May 1 as it seeks to control the rapid spread of the virus.

Under the third phase of its vaccination strategy, manufacturers will be required to supply 50 per cent of their monthly doses to the government and the rest to state governments or the open market.

Under the third phase of its vaccination strategy, manufacturers will be required to supply 50 per cent of their monthly doses to the government and the rest to state governments or the open market.

Vaccination will continue as before in the government of India vaccination centres free of cost for the eligible population -- healthcare and frontline workers and all people above 45 years of age.

(With agency inputs)