In the midst of a debate about vaccine prices, Serum Institute is defending an "inaccurate" comparison

Delhi: On Saturday, the Serum Institute responded to concerns about its pricing of the Covishield coronavirus vaccine, which will be marketed at 600 per dose to private hospitals, 400 to states, and 150 to the centre starting May 1, when vaccination will be available to everyone over the age of 18.

According to the manufacturer, Covishield--one of two vaccines used in India--remains "the most affordable COVID-19 vaccine available on the market today," despite "inaccurate comparisons between the global prices of the vaccine with India."

"At a rate of $600 per dose, only a small percentage of SII's total volume will be sold to private hospitals." The vaccine is still less expensive than many other medical treatments and necessities needed to treat COVID-19 and other life-threatening diseases "In a statement, the SII said.

"Covishield's initial prices were kept low around the world because it was dependent on advance funding provided by certain countries for at-risk vaccine manufacturing. All government immunisation programmes, including India's, had the lowest initial supply price "the business added.

Although the situation is "dire; the virus is continuously mutating as the public remains at risk," the company also stated that "we must ensure sustainability as we must be able to invest in scaling up and expanding our capacity to combat the pandemic and save lives."

We at @SerumInstIndia have been at the forefront of providing vaccines and saving lives around the world for the past five decades. We care about and value every human life, and we believe in accountability, so we hope the following statement clears up any misunderstandings. YQ3x38BuFL (@YQ3x38BuFL) (@YQ3x38BuFL) (@YQ3x38BuFL, SerumInstituteIndia (@SerumInstIndia).

If states decide they can't bear the cost of procuring fresh doses directly from the manufacturers, those receiving shots at state-run hospitals could end up paying the full $400 per dose.

The study prompted the centre to issue its own clarification, reminding people that vaccines procured by it and distributed to states would remain free, while those distributed to private hospitals would be available at a subsidised rate of $250 per dose.

The centre, on the other hand, said little about the higher prices of vaccines that states and private hospitals would purchase directly from manufacturers under new regulations that enable manufacturers to sell up to 50% of their production to states and private hospitals.

The controversy over vaccine pricing has been taken up by opposition parties, whose leaders have been quick to criticise the government on the subject.

The prices at which Covishield will be sold beginning May 1 were reported by the centre on Wednesday. SII said that rates would be lower than in other countries, where a single shot can cost up to $1,500.

A total of 3,000 crore in advance funds has also been verified by the central government for SII. This came after CEO Adar Poonawalla told NDTV that the company's current production capacity was "very strained, to put it bluntly."

Mr. Poonawalla later said that the ramp-up would begin immediately and that by the end of May, he expected there to be 15 to 20% more doses of Covishield on the market.

The country is dealing with a terrifying wave of Covid infections; nearly 3.5 lakh cases were recorded in the previous 24 hours this morning, bringing the active caseload to over 25.5 lakhs.