With the Drug Controller General of India granting approval for emergency usage of two Covid-19 vaccines Covishield and Covaxin, the eyes are now falling on who will offer the vaccine at the affordable price.
Pune based private drug manufacturer Serum Institute of India (SII) claimed that its covid-19 vaccine called the Covishield is cheaper than the vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and its transportation is also easier when compared with the latter. The statement was made by Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of SII recently.
Adar shared on Sunday that the company is waiting for the Indian Government to approve their proposal. News reports stated that SII will give their vaccine to the government for Rs.250; at the same time it will be made available in the private market for Rs. 1000.
“We are ready to provide the vaccine for the government. We have sent our proposal and are waiting for the contract to be signed with the government. The vaccine will be made available to the government within 10 days of the contract,” he reportedly said.
Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech’s MD Dr Krishna Ella was reported by the Hindusthan Times to have said that the Covaxin will be cheap, cheaper than a water bottle. He had said this in a conference, pointing to a water bottle. There has been assumption that Covaxin may cost under Rs. 100.
The public, however, will get the vaccine for free from the Government and there is no need to worry about the prices. Indian Health Minister Dr.Harsh Vardhan had said the vaccine will be free across the country. The vaccination drive will also take place pretty soon, as mock drills are being conducted across the country right now.
Meanwhile India Today reported that Balram Bhargava, the chief of ICMR in an exclusive interview with it had shared that Covaxin will prove to be better against the new strain of Covid-19. On why the preference towards Covaxin, Bhargava said “Covaxin will be more effective against the new strain because it is a whole virus vaccine.”