Chennai: Ahead of the third phase of vaccination drive from 1 April, during which all above 18 years are set to be given Covid-19 vaccines, people are worried over their affordability.
For, vaccine manufacturers have increased the prices and many feel the rates are now beyond the reach of the common man.
‘Now I need to spend over Rs 3,000 to vaccinate my whole family. How could I do it given the current situation,’ asks Kandan, a daily wager.
Rathna, who sells juice on a roadside in Chennai, says, ‘my daily profit is around Rs 300. My family has five members. Do you think it will be afforable for me to get vaccine?’
The government has asked Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech to reduce the prices of Covid-19 vaccine. The governmentās appeal to the vaccine manufacturers came amid widespread criticism over alleged profiteering during the pandemic.
Covishield manufactured by the SII will be given at Rs 400 per dose to States and Rs 600 per dose to private hospitals, while Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin will cost Rs 600 per dose for the States and Rs 1,200 per dose for private hospitals.
Both vaccines are, however, available to the Central government at a rate of Rs 150 per dose.
The issue of vaccine pricing was discussed at a meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba. It remains to be seen whether the companies will now come up with a revised prices.
India is set to enter the third phase of its vaccination drive against coronavirus on 1 May, which aims to open the programme for a wider population.
Under this phase, vaccine manufacturers have been asked to supply half of their Covid-19 vaccine stocks to the Centre, and the other half to State governments and private hospitals, at a pre-determined rate that was to be announced before 1 May.