Zydus vaccine likely to cost Rs 300 a dose

Even as the Centre and Zydus Cadila firm are in talks over the pricing of the Covid-19 vaccine ZyCov-D, government sources have said that the price of the vaccine is likely to be Rs 300 per dose that can be given to those above 12 years of age.

This would be the price at which the government would procure the vaccine to administer in government centres. However, the final price is likely to be decided next week, sources added.

The government bought Covaxin at Rs 157.50 and Covishield at Rs 225.75. In private facilities, Covaxin is available at a price of Rs 1,410 and Covishield at a price of Rs 700.

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said last week that the price for the Zydus Cadila Covid-19 vaccine for adults and children will be different and negotiations are underway.

“Pricing for private and government procurement will be different, as it was for other vaccines as well. Prices for Zydus will vary in private facilities,” he said.

Since this is a needle-less vaccine, the applicator is like a gun (injector) which can administer 10 doses at a time and has the capacity to administer 10,000 doses overall and would cost Rs.30,000.

The special applicator comes with an attachment at the front – which costs Rs 90. This will make it easier to be given to children as vaccines will be administered intra-dermal (in the skin). The cost of the applicator is what is likely to increase the cost of the vaccine as well.

Zydus Cadila’s DNA vaccine Zy-Cov-D will likely be used more for children from the ages of 12-18 years, as it would be the first in India to be available for children below age 18. IndiaToday