On the lines of the union Health Ministry, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), on Friday, announced a fixed rate for COVID-19 vaccines for private hospitals in the city.
Following the list of government rates, the price of Covishield has been fixed at Rs 780, the price of Covaxin has been fixed at Rs 1,410 and the price of Sputnik V has been fixed at Rs 1,145. BMC, in a statement released on Friday, also said that the price includes a 5 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) and a maximum service charge of Rs 150.
In his address earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that, from June 21, the central government will give COVID-19 vaccineS to all the states. This means that the central government will procure 75 per cent of the vaccines produced in India and supply them to the states, free of cost.
Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner and in-charge of public health in BMC, however, said that the civic body is awaiting further instructions from the Health Ministry on the procurement policy of the vaccines.
"The supply lines of private hospitals will now be monitored by the state government, however, there has been no written order on this yet. We are awaiting further guidelines and are hopeful that they will be rolled out by next week," Kakani said.
Kakani also said that the price of Covaxin is higher because of its limited production and the fixed rates of the vaccines will be applicable with immediate effect.
"We understand that private hospitals conducting vaccination drives inside housing societies have to send their own logistics and crew at the venue, which is why it is advisable that they vaccinate beneficiaries in larger numbers at a given time," said Kakani.
The BMC statement also maintained that Mumbaikars can lodge their complaint at - complaint.epimumbai@gmail.com, in case there's an incident of selling of medicines at an inflated amount.
