NEW DELH: A day after the government announced it was again centralising the Covid-19 vaccination programme, barring a 25% quota for domestic vaccine production for private hospitals, the health ministry placed advance orders for a total of 44 crore doses of Covishield and Covaxin to be supplied between August and December.
While an order of 25 crore doses of Covishield has been placed with Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), 19 crore shots of Covaxin will be supplied by Hyderabadbased Bharat Biotech.
“Additionally, 30% of the advance for procurement of both the vaccines has been released to SII and Bharat Biotech,” the health ministry said.
The government has also placed an order to purchase 30 crore doses of Biological E’s vaccine Corbevax, which will be available by September, Niti Aayog member (health) Dr V K Paul said.
“We should wait for the company (Biological E) to announce the price of their vaccine.
It will depend on our negotiation with the company, under the new policy.
The financial aid that has been given will meet part of the price,” he said.
The vaccine is made of a specific part of the novel coronavirus — the spike protein.
Orders for more doses of vaccines can be placed in due course, Dr Paul added.
The ministry said the Centre has been supporting the efforts of states and Union territories for an effective vaccination drive under the “whole of government approach” since January 16 this year.
Based on various representations received by the Centre, vaccination for all above 18 was opened beginning May 1.
“Now with the aim to further universalise the countrywide vaccination drive, all citizens above 18 can receive the vaccine doses free of cost at government health facilities,” the ministry said.
The Centre will provide free vaccines to states and UTs for inoculation of all above 18 at government facilities from June 21.
Asserting that vaccine supply would be increased significantly in the coming days, Dr Paul said a total of 53.6 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be procured and received by the Centre between January and July.