Indian company's proposal to increase the price of corona vaccine

Indian Covid Vaccine

Kathmandu. 

When the government buys 5 million doses of the vaccine against Covid-19 from India, it seems to cost more than before.

Earlier, the government had purchased 2 million doses of the vaccine at USD 4 per dose. This time, the Serum Institute of India has demanded USD 6 per dose. Bhim Singh Tinkari said.

"We have sent a proposal to the company to buy 5 million doses of the vaccine, but no response has been received," he said. "Company representatives have stated that the dose will be USD 6 per dose this time."

Earlier, the vaccine was given at a special initiative of the Ministry of Health and Population and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "They also have their own obligation to send the vaccine to their own citizens at concessional rates until the vaccination is guaranteed." 

The department has sent a proposal requesting to send vaccines at concessional prices as much as possible. An official from the Ministry of Health said that they have requested the company to provide the dose at five and a half dollars per dose. According to him, no agreement has been reached to purchase 5 million doses of vaccine so far.

"It is up to them to decide whether or not to give them at the price we have asked for, but we have asked them to provide them at a discount," the ministry official said. "The company has said that it will be difficult to get vaccines cheaply this time as there is more demand than vaccines."

As the department has not responded to the proposal sent to the Serum Institute, the date of purchase of the vaccine has not been decided yet. The remaining 1 million doses out of the 2 million purchased earlier will arrive in a few days. "Now we follow up with the company again," departent said.

The vaccination campaign was launched on January 29 after India provided one million doses of covsild vaccine on January 25. Vaccination has been started for the citizens above 65 years of age since March 8.