Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, in a letter to the states yesterday said that the age bracket of 18-44 can only get their vaccines after paying the vaccine price at a private CVC (Covid Vaccination Center).
As India continues to report an alarming number of 3 lakh COVID-19 cases for the sixth straight day, several voices have spoken up on the crumbling health infrastructure of the country and how accessibility to good health care is the fundamental right of every citizen.
On the vaccination front meanwhile, under the Centre’s new ‘liberalized’ vaccination program where citizens above 18 will be now eligible for the jab starting May 1, the vaccine manufacturers have been allowed to enter the private market and deal directly with the states. The biggest chunk of the population expected for this phase of the drive has brought up many unanswered questions pertaining to the preparedness to handle it and more so- the pricing.
A couple of days back, vaccine manufacturers of Covishield, Serum Institute of India, and Covaxin, Bharat Biotech released a statement detailing the varying prices for their vaccine with different dealers. For state governments, Covishield can be procured at Rs 400/dose and Covaxin at Rs 600/dose. As for private hospitals, the former can be purchased at Rs 600/dose and the latter at Rs 1200/dose. Charges for end-consumer will depend on the service that’ll be levied additionally. In the case of state governments, many of them like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, have announced that vaccination will be free.
Also Read: It’s All About The Money: Vaccine Manufacturers SII And Bharat Biotech Release Prices For India
To add to this disparity, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, in a letter to the states yesterday said that the age bracket of 18-44 can only get their vaccines after paying the vaccine price at a private CVC (Covid Vaccination Center). Activists have taken strong objections to the Centre’s stand and questioned it.
“One vaccine manufacturer is offering it (vaccine) at Rs 600 and the other at Rs 1200. How will the poor (in the 18-44 age bracket) get vaccinated?” said Rahul Kapoor, a social activist. He further said that other vaccines like polio have been administered for free so why couldn’t it be the same for COVID-19, especially given the condition of citizens in the second wave.
Mr. Kapoor, who has floated a petition has urged the Government of India to intervene in this matter and making sure all caps are taken off the vaccination prices. The petition also demands for “free vaccination for all in India irrespective of the age and profession of the person”
“The idea (behind the petition) is to make the system more accountable,” he said.
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