Serum Institute, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, said doses will be made available in retail and for free trade after four-five months.
Covishield will be available to state governments at Rs 400 a dose and private hospitals at Rs 600 a dose, the Pune headquartered company said on Wednesday.
The announcement comes two days after the central government decided to open up vaccinations against Covid-19 to those above the age of 18 years.
According to government’s recent decision, around 50 per cent of the doses produced by vaccine makers will be provided “in the open market” at a pre-declared price. State governments, private hospitals and private industry members can purchase these doses for vaccinations of those between the ages of 18 and 45 years.
How much price will private Hospital will charge for the younger age group?
There is uncertainty about the price that on what cost private hospitals will provide the vaccination when they arrive at their facilities for vaccination.
Those above the age of 45 are eligible for free vaccinations at government centres and at a reduced rate of Rs 250 per dose at private facilities under the government’s immunization programme.
The Union Government had said that manufacturers would have to “transparently” make an advance declaration of the price at which vaccines would be available to state governments and in the open market before May 1.
The Serum Institute produces Covishield, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca. Covishield is among the three vaccines authorised for emergency use in India. Bharat Biotech, which produces Covaxin, has not announced its pricing for state governments and the open market yet.