Bharat Biotech: Covaxin available to state governments at Rs 400 per dose

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 30, 2021

Indian-based vaccine maker, Bharat Biotech announced on Thursday that the price COVID vaccine ‘Covaxin’ has been reduced to Rs 400 per dose to state government to procure it. Earlier the price of ‘Covaxin’ is at Rs. 600 per dose.

“Bharat Biotech is deeply concerned with the critical pandemic circumstances that India is facing at this time. Recognizing the enormous challenges to the public health care system, we have made Covaxin available to state governments at a price of ₹400 per dose,” the company said in a statement.

“We wish to be transparent in our approach to pricing which was determined by internally funded product development, several operationally-intensive BSL-3 manufacturing facilities, and clinical trial,” it added.

This action was taken after Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute, tweeted that the Covishield price for states would be reduced from Rs.400 per dose to Rs.300 per dose.

Earlier, the central government had directed the Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech to reduce the vaccine’s price after recent announcement of the third phase of vaccination, “vaccine for all,” which will begin on May 1, 2021.

Bharat Biotech – COVAXIN® Announcement – April 29, 2021 pic.twitter.com/RgnROIfUCe

— Bharat Biotech (@BharatBiotech) April 29, 2021

As a philanthropic gesture on behalf of @SerumInstIndia, I hereby reduce the price to the states from Rs.400 to Rs.300 per dose, effective immediately; this will save thousands of crores of state funds going forward. This will enable more vaccinations and save countless lives.

— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) April 28, 2021