India is battling againstthe second wave of coronavirus with an aim of inoculating people of all agegroups in the least possible time. Presently, two types of vaccines, Covishieldand Covaxin, are being administered. However, the prices of these vaccines varyfor states and private hospitals.
Recently, the third phase ofvaccination has started in India in which people of the 18-44 age group will getthe dose. The price of one-shot ranges between Rs 700 to Rs 1500 for the peoplefalling in this age group, as per the data available on CoWIN portal.
Surprisingly, the price of the vaccine is nearly six timesthe cost of Rs 250, which people of 45 and above give for the single dose. Thisalso makes private hospitals of India scripting a new record of the highest vaccineprice in the world.
For the Covishield developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII), private hospitals are charging between Rs 700-900 for one shotwhile the Bharat Biotech produced Covaxin cost starts from Rs 1,250 which goesup to Rs 1,500.
The CoWIN website has revealed another truth that the vaccination drive ongoing in private hospitals is being conducted by four big corporatehospital groups- Apollo, Fortis, Max, and Manipal.
It may be noted here that there are countries where the vaccinationdrive is open free for the public. India is among the few countries where peoplehave to pay to get their jab and notably, the cost of vaccines in the privatemarket is the highest in the world at almost $12 for Covishield and $17 forCovaxin.
When the vaccination began in India, the Centre wasprocuring both the vaccines at Rs 150 per dose to further supply them to the statesand private hospitals. Then the private hospitals were directed to charge Rs100 to administer the job to which they agreed however, it could not continuetill long. Now, non-public hospitals are charging Rs 250-300 per dose ofCovishield.
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According to the report published in the ToI, Max Hospital spokesperson said that gross price of Covishield was Rs 660-670inclusive of GST, transportation, and storage costs. However, its 5-6% wastage due to breakage makesit cost Rs 710-715 per dose.
“The vaccine administration charges include handsanitizer, PPE kit for staff, biomedical waste disposal, etc which comes to Rs170-180. The net cost of Rs 900,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying by thepublication.
Perhaps, it yet remains vague that whether the privatehospitals are procuring the vaccines at the price capped by both manufacturers.In April, Bharat Biotech declared that private hospitals will get the vaccineat Rs 1200 per dose which was double the states’ procurement price. Whilethe SII announced Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals, double the states' price.
The difference of price has put the public healthactivists in the state of dilemma and they have also warned of diversion ofstocks to the private sector hence, becoming increasing revenue of the vaccineproducers.
Amidst the price difference, many states are witnessing theshortage of anti-viral drug to continue the vaccination drive however, vaccineproducers are claiming that this shortage might continue to linger on till Juneas it would take time to scale up the production. Due to the prevailing condition,the vaccine makers are denying to take the orders of the smaller healthfacilities.
As per the publication’s report, various small hospitalstried to place the orders for Covishiled, however, they were denied as the company informed them they would first complete the outstanding orders from theCentre and the states followed by the private hospitals. Presently, SII is nottaking up the latest order, as per the ToI report.