Zydus Cadila, has reportedly agreed to reduce the price of each dose of its vaccine dose of ZyCoV-D to ₹265, the firm possesses one of India’s two indigenous jabs against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). Earlier, the Ahmedabad based firm proposed a price of ₹1900 for the vaccine routine, which involves three dosages and is yet to be inculcated for the cross country vaccination drive, which was begun on January 16 this year.
PTI quoted officials familiar with developments a “The company has brought down the price to ₹265 for each dose. Additionally, ₹93 will be charged as the cost of a disposable jet applicator. This was achieved after repeated negotiations with the central government. A final decision in this matter is likely to be taken this week,”
The need for a painless jet applicator stems from the fact that ZyCoV-D is a needle-free vaccine. The three doses have to be given on day 0, day 28 and day 56 respectively; each round of vaccination includes the jab being given in both arms.
ZyCoV-D, Got clearance from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on August 20, is the only vaccine to have been cleared for its usage under age-bar of 18. It has been given emergency use authorisation (EUA) by the top drugs regulator for beneficiaries aged 12 and above. currently, every citizen who is 18-years-old or above is eligible for the vaccination drive.
Apart from ZyCoV-D, Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Limited’s Covaxin is the main other vaccine to have been suggested by the Subject Experts Committee (SEC) to the DCGI. Covaxin, which is the country’s first native covid vaccine, is among the two most generlu used vaccine under the drive, Covishield being the other.
Until now, the DCGI has given emergency use approval to six jabs. Among these, two are home-made, while the remaining are foreign-developed
