New Delhi, Feb 27: The NITI Aayog has promulgated a pricerange of Rs 300-500 for two Covid vaccines that would be available for thepriority group at private facilities in the third phase of vaccination set tobegin from March 1, sources privy to the development told IANS, adding that theBharat Biotech's Covaxin would cost a bit higher.
However, the union health ministry would take a final callon the proposition.
The proposed price has been floated after a five-hour longmeeting held between the Dr VK Paul, member (health), NITI Aayog and officialsfrom Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech on Friday evening, which wasconcluded around 11 p.m., sources added.
"This would be the price end-user would pay for a dose.It includes the service charge the private facilities can take from thebeneficiaries," a top official said.
IANS had reported earlier that private facilities will beable to collect a "service charge" of up to Rs 100 from thebeneficiaries to meet the operational expenses they will be incurring duringthe vaccination drive against Covid-19. This will be in addition to the cost ofthe vaccines.
As per reports, the government has been procuring SII'sCovishield for around Rs 210 per dose while the cost of Covaxin is around Rs290 for a shot.
The third phase of vaccination will begin from March 1 andwill cover 27 crore people above 60 years of age and those above 45 years ofage with comorbidities at 10,000 government and over 20,000 private vaccinationcentres.
The government has decided that the people will bevaccinated free of cost at the government hospitals, while those taking theshots at private hospitals will have to pay.
The vaccines will be stored at public health facilitieshaving cold chain points. The private facilities will be able to receive thedesired doses from public hospitals in their vicinity.
Akin to the previous priority groups, healthcare andfrontline workers, the general public as well will not be given a choice amongthe two vaccines. However, the people can make a choice between the centreswhere they are willing to take the jab, officials told IANS.
"One would not be allowed to choose among the twovaccines. However, they can indirectly go for their preference by selecting thecentre they wish to be inoculated since the information of centres along withthe vaccines they use will be available to the public," the officialinformed.