Union Health Ministry on June 8 announced a price cap for the administration of Covid-19 vaccines in private hospitals. While the maximum price for Covaxin & Covishield has been fixed at Rs 1,410 & Rs 780 per dose respectively, Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine will cost Rs 1,145 per dose in private hospitals. In a letter to all states and union territories on June 8, the Health Ministry suggested that appropriate strict action be taken against private vaccination centres for overcharging. The ministry also requested states & union territories to regularly monitor the prices being charged by the private centres from the citizens. On June 8, the Centre had announced that it has placed an order to purchase 25 crore doses of Covishield & 19 crore doses of Covaxin. These 44 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be delivered by their makers between August & December 2021, the Union Health Ministry said, adding that a 30 per cent advance to the Serum Institute of India & Bharat Biotech has been released for procurement of both vaccines.
