CoviShield maker Serum Institute of India has more than doubled the vaccine prices. The company announced that the central government would continue to get the vaccine in 150, but state governments would now have to pay Rs 400 for a dose of Kovyshield and Rs 600 to private hospitals.
Till now this vaccine was available in government hospitals free of cost, the central government was supplying it to the states free of cost. While 250 rupees were taken in private hospitals, because the government was giving them the vaccine for 150 rupees.
Now 50% of the vaccine will be sold in the open market.
Now, since 1 May, people above 18 years of age will be vaccinated, so the serum will be able to sell 50% of the vaccine directly to the central government, while the remaining 50% will be sold directly to the state governments and private hospitals. The serum will also sell the vaccine to the Center for Rs 150 per dose under the new system, but will charge Rs 400 from state governments and Rs 600 from private hospitals.
The reasoning
behind the raw material and royalty reimbursement is being argued that Kovyshield is developed by AstraZeneca-Oxford together and the serum only produces. Since the campaign starting May 1, the vaccine production is being increased. In such a situation, the serum has increased the vaccine rates to reduce the extra weight of raw material and royalty.
But the question arises that ..
When the serum institute can give vaccine to the central government for 150 rupees, then why are 400 rupees being taken from the state governments and 600 rupees from private hospitals? If we have to vaccinate a large population and the government also wants that more and more people get vaccinated, then the prices for the state and private hospitals should be the same as for the central government.
Private hospitals will charge a price of 600 rupees and other charges and will put a dose for Rs 700 and if you continue to get 150, then you will be able to apply only for 250 rupees. In government hospitals, where the governments have announced free, but in the states that have not yet received the call, it is not clear at what rate it will be charged. Shouldn’t it be an effort to keep the same prices when we want to move towards 100% vaccination?
Many states are still silent on the free vaccine. While Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have announced free vaccination from May 1. This decision of these governments in the public interest is welcome. Other states should also take a decision on the same lines and give relief to their citizens.
The question is that when the country is stuck between life and death and the vaccine is the only way to get out of this, then the first priority of the government should be to save the lives of the people. The central government should immediately intervene and decide that when it can buy a 50% vaccine for Rs 150, it can also buy 100%. This is also important because life is at stake here. Every citizen should get a vaccine, that should be your first duty.
