After receiving flak of criticismfor profiteering, the Centre government on Tuesday has capped the maximum priceof Covid-19 vaccine for the private hospitals.
The Centre has now directed all theprivate hospitals across the nation to charge Rs780 for Covishield, Rs1, 410 forCovaxin and Rs1, 145 for Russian vaccine Sputnik-V. The prices capped are nowinclusive of taxes as well as a Rs 150 service charge for the hospitals.
Additionally,the Union Ministry has directed all states to do not allow private hospitals toincur a service charge of more than Rs 150. In order to keep check of the same, the authority has been given to the States to regularly monitor private hospitals andto take stern action against medical facilities which would be charging exorbitantly.
However, in public health centres, people over 18 wouldget their jab for free. PM Modi on Monday had announced a centralized vaccinationpolicy under which eligible groups will be inoculated against Covid-19 forfree. Notably, PM Modi’s free vaccination address came days after the SupremeCourt termed the Centre’s vaccine pricing policy as ‘arbitrary’ and ‘irrational.’