Centre caps maximum price for COVID vaccines at private hospitals

New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday capped charges for administration of Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V in private hospitals, based on the prices currently declared by vaccine manufacturers.

While the maximum price for Covaxin and Covishield has been fixed at Rs 1,410 and Rs 780 per dose respectively, Russia's Sputnik V vaccine will cost Rs 1,145 per dose in private hospitals, as per the notification issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) on Tuesday

This also includes taxes as well as a Rs 150 service charge for the hospitals.

The supply price by the manufacturers to private players for Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V is at ₹600, ₹1,200 and ₹948, respectively, the notification said.

Meanwhile, the Centre has also asked the state government to ensure that private hospitals don't levy more than Rs 150 as a service charge.

In a letter to all states and union territories, the Health Ministry asked the state governments to monitor private hospitals regularly and suggested that appropriate strict action be taken against private vaccination centres for overcharging.

"The price of vaccine doses for private hospitals would be declared by each manufacturer, and any subsequent changes would be notified in advance. The private hospitals may charge up to a maximum of Rs 150 per dose as service charges. The state government may monitor the price being charged," IANS quoted the ministry circular.

The price capping comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reversed his government's policy and announced that government will provide free vaccines to states for inoculation of all above age 18 from June 21.