Published 17:05 IST, January 12th 2021

SII's Adar Poonawala shares details of COVID vaccine: 'First 100m doses to cost Rs 200'

Elaborating on the price of the COVID-19 vaccine, Poonawala said that SII would initially focus on making the vaccine available at a reasonable price at Rs 200.

India News
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As India gears up for world's largest COVID vaccination drive from January 16, Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawala called dispatch of vaccines a 'historical moment', sharing details of vaccine's market price and international supply. "This is a historical moment that vaccine is being dispatched from our factory. Our main challenge is to bring it to everyone in country. It is our challenge for 2021, let's see how it happens," said SII CEO.

On price of Covishield

Elaborating on price of COVID-19 vaccine, Poonawala said that SII would initially focus on making vaccine available at a reasonable price to healthcare workers instead of focusing on profits. For first 100 million doses, vaccine would be available at just Rs 200.

"We've given a special price of Rs 200 for first 100 million doses only to GoI on ir request, that we want to support common man, vulnerable, poor, healthcare workers. After that, we'll be selling it at Rs 1000 in private markets. To Govt of India, we'll still maintain a very reasonable price but it will be a little bit more than Rs 200 which is our cost price. So we decided t to make any profit, we wanted to support nation & Govt of India for first 100 million doses," said Adar Poonawala.

Read: Centre Officially Places Order With SII For 'COVISHIELD'; Cost Fixed At Rs 200 Per Dose

Read: Covishield Likeliest To Be India's Guard Against Covid: Kw All About Oxford Vaccine

International supply of SII's Covishield

Meanwhile, speaking on international demand for vaccine, Poonawala stated that India was planning its logistics for an international supply chain to Africa and South America. "A lot of countries have been writing to India & PMO for vaccines to be supplied from Serum Institute to ir countries. We're trying to keep everyone happy. We've to take care of our population & nation as well. We're trying to supply vaccines to Africa, South America. So we're doing a little bit everywhere. So we'll try to keep everyone happy," he said.

"We make 70-80 million doses every month. Planning is underway to see how many will be given to India and foreign countries. Health Ministry has made logistics plans. We also have a partnership with private players for trucks, vans, and cold stor," he added.

Meanwhile, in a massive development, first consignment containing vials of Covishield vaccine left Pune's Serum Institute of India in early hours of Tuesday with Poonawala calling it an 'emotional moment for team.' Amid tight security, 3 trucks carrying very first consignment of Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 have been dispatched from Pune airport to be flown to 13 different locations across country.