Two Indian companies – Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech, are getting ready to supply vaccines to India.
Bharat Biotech has agreed to supply 16.5 million units to the central government. A total of 55 lakh doses of Covaxin (Bharat Biotech) and 1.1 crore doses of Covishield(Serum Institute) is being procured by the government. The Central government today clarified that because of the complexity, there will be no choice given for the end user on which of the 2 vaccines they want to use.
Both the vaccines are based on similar technologies, and both are given in 2 doses – the second dose is given about 28 days after the first. Covaxin will retail at 295 rs per dose, while Covishield will retail at about 200 rs per dose. The government has roped in private hospitals to help with the vaccination program. This will ensure that all the government staff is not occupied in vaccination and is able to also provide regular health services that they are supposed to provide.