J&K will purchase COVID19 vaccine CoviShield from Serum Institute of India (SII) directly now, each shot costing over Rs 400 for the recipient. People over 45 years however, will continue to get it free in the public health sector, J&K Government said.
After remaining free and administered in a phased manner, COVID19 vaccine will come at a price from 01 May. Director General Health and Family Welfare and Immunization, Dr Saleem ur Rehman said that J&K and other states and UTs can directly procure CoviShield from SII as affected by GoI decision announced earlier this week. He said that the decision also allows the private sector to procure vaccines from the manufacturer. “This is meant to accelerate the vaccination drive,” he said.
He said that the Government sector will get the vaccine at the cost of Rs 400 per dose, while private sector and vaccination centers will get it at the cost of Rs 600 per dose. “The price of the vaccine in the private and government sector will be decided soon but it will definitely cost more than Rs 400 with us,” he said. Dr Rehman however said that current beneficiaries of Phase 1, 2 and 3 – Health care workers, frontline workers and people aged 45 and above will continue to get the vaccine free.
The Government on Monday announced that all people aged above 18 years will be eligible to get vaccinated from 01 May.
India is in the process of opening its markets to vaccines manufactured in other countries. A SII media statement said, “In another 4-5 months, the vaccines will be made available in retail and free trade.”