Bharat Biotech has written to the India's drug regulator seeking extension of the shelf-life of its indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin from six to 24 months, sources said on Sunday.
ICMR grants permission for drone trial to deliver Covid vaccines
In the ongoing world s largest vaccination campaign, over 14.19 crore vaccine doses have been administered since the launching of this drive in the country. The drive- launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 16, has completed 100 days on April 25.
As per the data shared by the Union Health Minister on its website, 14,19,11,223 vaccine doses have been administered through 20,44,954 sessions, according to the provisional report till 7 this morning.
In the first phase, 92,98,092 healthcare workers have taken the first dose while 60,08,236 healthcare workers have completed their vaccination exercise by taking the second dose.
Centre asks Bharat Biotech, Serum Institute to lower COVID vaccine prices
The move comes days ahead of the third phase of India s COVID-19 vaccination programme in the backdrop of criticism over prices of Covaxin and Covishield for states and priate players
BusinessToday.In | April 26, 2021 | Updated 21:00 IST
The central government has asked Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India to lower the prices for their respective coronavirus vaccines, reported news agency PTI. The move comes days ahead of the third phase of India s COVID-19 vaccination programme in the backdrop of criticism from several states over prices of Covaxin and Covishield, alleging the manufacturers were prioritising profiteering in times of pandemic.
The central government on Monday asked the Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech to lower prices of their COVID-19 vaccines amid criticism from various states who objected to profiteering during such a major crisis.
The issue of vaccine pricing was discussed at a meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba. Now the two companies are expected to come up with revised pricing for their vaccines. The Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has fixed the price of its COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, at Rs 600 per dose for state governments and at Rs 1,200 per dose for private hospitals. The Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), the world s largest vaccine maker in terms of volume, has announced a price of Rs 400 per dose for its COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield , for state governments and Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals. Both vaccines are available to the central government at a rate of Rs 150 per dose.