New Delhi: The Covid booster dose will be available for all adults above the age of 18 at private vaccination centres from today. The Union Health Ministry had announced the same on Friday.
Reportedly, all those who are more than 18 years of age and have completed 9 months after the administration of the second dose, are eligible for the booster dose.
Both the major manufacturers of Covid vaccines announced large cuts in the price a day before the booster dose is rolled out. Serum Institute of India’s (SII) Covishield, and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin will be available for Rs 225 per dose, down from Rs 600 and Rs 1,200 respectively.
We are pleased to announce that after discussion with the Central Government, SII has decided to revise the price of COVISHIELD vaccine for private hospitals from Rs.600 to Rs 225 per dose. We once again commend this decision from the Centre to open precautionary dose to all 18+.
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) April 9, 2022
Announcing #CovaxinPricing .
We welcome the decision to make available precautionary dose for all adults. In consultation with the Central Government, we have decided to revise the price of #COVAXIN from Rs 1200 to Rs 225 per dose, for #privatehospitals.🇮🇳💉💉💉😷— Suchitra Ella (@SuchitraElla) April 9, 2022
The private vaccination centres can charge up to Rs 150 per dose as a service charge over and above the cost of the vaccine. The recipients will be able to see the total cost on the Co-WIN portal in advance, the government said.
The Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan stated in guidelines to states that the private centres must declare the price per dose chargeable by them on Co-WIN, in accordance with the prices declared by the manufacturers.
Meanwhile, the booster doses will be given only at private establishments against payment. The priority groups of healthcare workers, frontline workers, and individuals above the age of 60 can get their third dose for free at government vaccination centres.
About 96 per cent of all 15 plus population in the country has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine jab while about 83 per cent of 15 plus population has received both the doses.
It is to be noted that about 96 per cent of all 15 plus population in the country has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine jab while about 83 per cent of 15 plus population has received both the doses.
Over 2.4 crore precaution doses have also been administered to Healthcare Workers, Frontline Workers and 60 plus population group. Along with, around 45 per cent of 12 to 14 years age group have received the first dose vaccine against Covid pandemic.
The ongoing free vaccination programme through Government Vaccination Centres for first and second dose to the eligible population as well as Precaution Dose to Healthcare Workers, Frontline Workers and 60+ population would continue and would be accelerated.
Kalinga AI