CENTRE REVISES RATES FOR JAB PROCUREMENT, PLACES ORDER FOR 660 MILLION DOSES

NEW DELHI: The government will procure Covishield at a rate of ₹215 per dose and Covaxin at a rate of ₹225 per dose, officials aware of protracted discussions between the companies and the authorities said, while adding that new orders for 660 million doses for supply between August and December have also been placed.

The new rates are higher than the ₹150 per dose the government paid till now, a price that vaccine makers said was untenable for them in the long term and for them to be able to expand their production capacity.

“The negotiations for revising the price were on for some time and finally the revised rates have been decided at which future procurements should happen,” said an official aware of the matter, asking not to be named.

The person quoted above added that a new order of 660 million doses has been placed and these will be delivered through August and December at a total cost of ₹14,505 crores. The total orders are with both the companies -- Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) that manufactures Covishield and Hyderabadbased Bharat Biotech which makes Covaxin -- though a break-up of doses was not given.

“For Moderna’s vaccine, contractual specifics are currently being worked out as there is a certain process that needs to be duly followed. The discussions have not concluded as yet...,” said Dr VK Paul, member (health), Niti Aayog on Friday, during media briefing on Covid-19 updates.

“WHO warning is a global warning for the world...it is in our hands to prevent the country from seeing the third wave .... The next 100-125 days are critical,” said Paul.