New Delhi: The price of Covishield has been reduced from Rs 400 to Rs 300 per dose for all states and union territories, which can acquire the vaccine directly from Serum Institute of India (SII) May 1 onwards.
Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla called the decision a ‘philanthropic gesture’.
“As a philanthropic gesture on behalf of Serum Institute of India, I hereby reduce the price to the states from Rs 400 to Rs 300 per dose, effective immediately; this will save thousands of crores of state funds going forward. This will enable more vaccinations and save countless lives,” Poonawalla tweeted.
As a philanthropic gesture on behalf of @SerumInstIndia, I hereby reduce the price to the states from Rs.400 to Rs.300 per dose, effective immediately; this will save thousands of crores of state funds going forward. This will enable more vaccinations and save countless lives.
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) April 28, 2021
After the Centre announced that both vaccines being used in India currently will be available to states and private hospitals from May 1, SII and Bharat Biotech announced rates for Covishield and Covaxin, respectively, last week.
Covishield price was fixed at Rs 400 and Rs 600 per dose for states and private hospitals respectively, while the corresponding Covaxin rates were set at Rs 600 and Rs 1200.
Both manufacturers have been providing the vaccines to the Centre at a rate of Rs 150 per dose.
The higher prices for states and private hospitals angered the states and other stakeholders, as they wanted a uniform pricing.
Everyone above the age of 18 will be eligible for the vaccine from May 1.
