Health Ministry: COVID Vaccine in India Likely to Cost between 200 to 295

New Delhi: On Tuesday, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan revealed that the price range of the COVID-19 vaccine will remain between Rs. 200 to Rs. 295 in the country. In the meantime, the two indigenous vaccines, Covaxin and Covishield have received emergency use authorization after passing through a well-prescribed regulatory process.

According to the Union Health Ministry, the stores across the states have received a total of 54,72,000 COVID-19 vaccines.

Bhushan, while addressing a press conference regarding the matter, announced that the preparations are already in full swing as the vaccination drive is going to strike in the entire nation from January 16. 

“As early as May 2020, a task force was set up to encourage indigenous Research and Development in vaccines and developing pharmaceutical kits. Efforts of the Taskforce have borne fruit. National Expert Group in Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) was set up in August 2020, headed by Member (Health)”, said Bhupesh during the press conference.

Adding, “A total of 110 lakh doses of Covishield vaccines are being procured from Pune-based drug firm Serum Institute of India (SII) at the cost of Rs. 200 per dose. As many as 55 lakh doses of Cavaxin vaccine are being procured from Hyderabad-based drug firm Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL), of which the cost of 38.5 lakhs doses of Covaxin is Rs. 295 per dose. BBIL is providing 16.5 lakh doses of Covaxin free of cost to the central government as a special gesture and hence the cost of Covaxin is Rs. 206 per dose”.