SII calls its COVID-19 vaccine ‘most affordable’ amid criticism on pricing

The Serum Institue of India issued a statement on Saturday over the criticism it was facing in relation to the high vaccine prices. In a media release on Saturday, the vaccine manufacturer stated that “Covidshield is the most affordable COVID-19 vaccine available in the market today”.

Covishield is AstraZeneca/Oxford University’s coronavirus vaccine that is being manufactured by the SII. 

As per the statement, only a limited portion of SII’s volume will be sold to private hospitals at Rs 600 per dose. Further, the statement highlighted that the comparison between global vaccine prices and prices of Covishield in India is ‘highly inaccurate’.

“The government procurement for countrywide immunization programs in all countries including India has been at a far low price as the volumes are high.” the statement read. 

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Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Health had issued a clarification stating that the government is procuring vaccines from SII at Rs 150 per dose. The centre also added that the GOI procured vaccines will be available to states for free.

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The third phase of India’s vaccination drive starts on May 1. All adults – 18 years and above – will be eligible to receive a vaccine dose in the phase.