New Delhi: The Union government has asked Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech to lower the price of COVID-19 vaccines which they have announced for state governments and private hospitals.
Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has set the price of Covaxin at Rs 600 per dose for state governments and Rs 1,200 per dose for private hospitals.
The corresponding prices for SII-manufactured Covishield have been fixed at Rs 400 for state governments and Rs 600 for private hospitals.
There has been a hue and cry by several states and Opposition leaders over the price of vaccines declared by the two manufacturers after the Centre announced that 50% of monthly Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL)-released doses will be supplied to state governments and open market from May 1, when all above the age of 18 will be eligible to get the jab.
According to a PTI report, the issue of vaccine pricing was discussed at a meeting chaired by Union Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Monday.
SII and Bharat Biotech are providing the vaccines to the central government at a rate of Rs 150 per dose.
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