Covishield price for states reduced from Rs 400 to Rs 300: Adar Poonawaala calls it 'philanthropic gesture'

Covishield vaccine has been priced at Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals.

Days after political leaders from across the country raised the question on pricing, the Serum Institue of India (SII) on Wednesday reduced the price of its vaccine dose for the states by Rs 100.

Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of Serum Institute of India (SII), which manufactures the Covishield vaccine, made the announcement in a Twitter post.

"I hereby reduce the price to the states from Rs.400 to Rs.300 per dose, effective immediately. This will save thousands of crores of state funds going forward," said Poonawalla.

He termed the reduction in price as a philanthropic gesture on behalf of SII and said that the move will enable more vaccinations and save countless lives.

Covishield vaccine has been priced at Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals.

The Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has fixed the price of its vaccine, Covaxin, at Rs 600 per dose for state governments and at Rs 1,200 per dose for private hospitals.

Both the vaccines are available to the central government at a rate of Rs 150 per dose.