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Price of Covishield fixed at Rs 200 per dose, SII to begin shipping Covid-19 vaccine
Pune-based Serum Institute of India also confirmed that it has received a purchase order from the Government of India for 1.1 crore doses of its coronavirus vaccine 'Covishield'. The Indian regulator has granted restricted emergency use approval for Covishield and Covaxin vaccines.
SII facility in Pune's Pimpri Chinchwad where Covishield is being manufactured (Photo Credits: PTI)
Covishield, the coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca will be sold at Rs 200 per dose. Sources within the Serum Institute of India (SII), Oxford University and AstraZeneca's partner in India told India Today that the price of each dose of the Covid-19 vaccine "was always fixed".
"The price was always fixed. No issues of agreement. The price of the doses is fixed at Rs 200 per dose," sources said. In addition, sources also confirmed to India Today that the Covishield shipment will leave from SII's facility in Pune on Monday evening.
"Final paperwork took some time from the government side, which has now concluded," said sources.
Each dose of the Serum Institute's Covid-19 vaccine has been priced at Rs 200, excluding GST. An additional cost of Rs 10 (GST) will result in each dose costing Rs 210.
Pune-based Serum Institute of India also confirmed that it has received a purchase order from the Union Ministry of Health, Government of India. While 1.1 crore (11 million) doses of Covishield are being shipped in the first trance, the number may increase in the coming weeks.
Addressing the nation on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will begin the world's largest vaccination drive on January 16. "First Corona warriors and then frontline workers will be vaccinated," he said adding that India will probably approve more vaccines for the second phase of the vaccination drive.
On Monday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) also requested all of its 3.5 lakh members to get vaccinated against Covid-19 to show the world that the vaccines approved by Indian regulators are safe and efficacious.
On January 2, the Central Drugs and Standards Committee (CDSCO) approved the University of Oxford's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin for emergency use. Following the approval, these can now be used to vaccinate health care workers and frontline workers in India against Covid-19.
The Serum Institute of India has also roped in Pune-based Kool-ez Cold Chain Ltd to transport doses of its coronavirus vaccine throughout India. On Monday, six air-conditioned trucks will be used to transport the first consignment of Covishield doses from SII's facility in Pune to different parts of India. Each container will be carrying at least 280-300 boxes with each box having 1.20 lakh doses of Covishield.
Source - The Economic Times
