Centre caps MRP of Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V for private hospitals; Check details here

The Centre on Tuesday, June 8, has capped the price for the administration of Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V in private hospitals based on the prices currently declared by vaccine manufacturers.

This move is seen as an attempt to stop private hospitals from over-charging patients in the name of vaccination. In a letter to all states and union territories, the Health Ministry suggested that appropriate strict action be taken against private vaccination centres for overcharging.

The maximum price of Covishield for private COVID-19 Vaccination Centres (CVCs) has been fixed at INR 780 per dose, while that of Covaxin is INR 1,410 per dose and Sputnik V INR 1,145 per dose, after taxes and service charges.

The price per dose as declared by the manufacturer, without five per cent GST, is INR 600 for a dose of Covishield, INR 1200 for a dose of Covaxin, and INR 948 for a dose of Sputnik V.

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The Health Ministry asked states to ensure that the prices declared by various private CVCs do not exceed the ceiling. 

This comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that private sector hospitals can continue to procure 25 per cent of vaccines, but their service charge would be capped at INR 150 per dose over the fixed price of the vaccine.

Meanwhile, in his address to the nation on Monday, June 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday announced a centralised vaccine policy. He also announced that from June 21, all citizens above the age of 18 years will get free vaccines, and asserted that vaccine supply would be increased significantly in the country in the coming days.

Furthermore, the Centre also said that it has placed an order to purchase 25 crore doses of Covishield and 19 crore doses of Covaxin. The Centre has also placed an order to purchase 30 crore doses of Biological E's vaccine, which will be available by September this year.

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