Zydus Cadila proposes Rs 1900 for three-dose COVID vaccine

By Team Newsable | First Published Oct 4, 2021, 9:24 AM IST

However, according to individuals familiar with the events, the government is negotiating a price decrease, and a final decision is expected this week.

While negotiations between the central government and Zydus Cadila over the cost of the COVID-19 vaccine ZyCov-D are ongoing, the pharma firm is said to have offered a price of Rs 1,900 for its three-dose shot that may be administered to people over the age of 12. However, according to individuals familiar with the events, the government is negotiating a price decrease, and a final decision is expected this week. The government announced on Thursday that Zydus Cadila's indigenously produced, world's first DNA-based needle-free COVID-19 vaccine will be included in the countrywide anti-coronavirus immunisation push soon.

As per reports, its three-dose jab, the firm has suggested a price of Rs 1,900 inclusive of taxes. "Negotiations are now underway. The firm has been urged to examine all aspects of the vaccine's pricing. A final decision on the vaccine's pricing is expected this week," according to a source. According to another source, ZyCoV-D must be priced differently from Covaxin and Covishield because, in addition to being a three-dose vaccine, it necessitates the use of a needle-free jet injector, which costs Rs 30,000. That jet injector has a dosage capacity of about 20,000. The vaccine will be given on days 0 through 28 and 56.

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According to reports, three rounds of discussions have already taken place between the Centre and the firm, with the most recent one taking place on Thursday. Meanwhile, the ministry is awaiting advice from the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) on including ZyCoV-D into the immunisation programme and prioritising recipients, with an emphasis on those aged 12-18 years with comorbidities. In terms of the pricing of the vaccine, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan stated at a news conference on Thursday that the government is in talks with the producers.

On August 20, the drug regulator granted the vaccine ZyCoV-D Emergency Use Authorization, making it the first vaccination to be administered to children aged 12 to 18, in addition to adults. Vaccinations Covishield, Covaxin, and Sputnik V are only administered to those over the age of 18, and they are two-dose vaccines, unlike ZyCoV-D.

Also Read | India gets needle-free Covid-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D, first of its kind for kids above 12 years

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