Covaxin, an indigenous vaccine for Covid-19 has beenrolled by Bhart Biotech this morning. Apart from Delhi, the vaccine has beensent to 10 cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Patna, Jaipur, among other.
A day after the Covishield was sent to around 13 citiesby Serum Institute of India, the Covaxin roll out may be a big push for theinoculation drive going to be held from January 16. It has been touted as the'world's biggest' drive by the officials.
An official was quoted as saying to ANI, "The firstconsignment of vaccine from Bharat Biotech is being carried by Air India on AI559 from Hyderabad to Delhi on Wednesday at 0640 hours."
It is expected that the Hyderabad based Bharat Biotechwill roll out 13 consignments from its factory today.
55 Lakh doses of Covaxin and 1.01 crore doses ofCovishield are being procured as per the data by the Health Ministry. WhileBharat Biotech is charging Rs 295 per dose, the per dose of Covishield isaround Rs 200.
16.5 Lakh doses will be given free of cost by BharatBiotech which has prepared Covaxin in partnership with Indian Council ofMedical Research (ICMR). The centre hasreceived 54,72,00 doses of vaccines so far. 100% doses are expected to be received by UTs and States by January14.
Both the two-doses emergency approval vaccines will beadministered at a gap of 28 days.