India will buy COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer Inc. and Moderna Inc. for its vaccination programme, provided they are offered at a special price, people familiar with the matter said, according to The Economic Times.
The government could essentially function as a canalising agency to facilitate supply of these vaccines in the country.
Pfizer had not participated in the tenders floated by state governments, saying it will only deal with the Centre for its vaccine, which is based on the novel mRNA technology.
“These will not be a part of the government programme unless they give a special price,” a government official told ET. India on Monday reverted to centralised procurement of vaccines, which would be available free for the entire population over the age of 18 years.
Domestic producers Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech have been supplying vaccines to the Centre at Rs 150 per dose. There is a significant gap between what the Indian government pays for domestic vaccines and what Pfizer charges.
One dose of the Pfizer vaccine costs $19.50 (about Rs 1,423) in the US and $23.22 (Rs 1,695) in the European Union for the latest supplies to these regions.
One dose of AstraZeneca’s vaccine — which is available in India under the Covishield brand name through the Serum Institute — costs $4 (about Rs 292) in the US.
The government is in discussions with Pfizer. One of the two sticking points has been Pfizer’s demand for indemnity from possible law suits, arising out of possible adverse effects from the vaccine. Further it wants US courts should have jurisdiction over vaccine-related disputes. The source cited said they expected these issues to be resolved soon.
Approval to Pfizer and Moderna is under consideration, VK Paul, member-health, Niti Aayog, said on Monday.
“We are engaged in talks with Pfizer because they have indicated availability of a certain volume of vaccines in the coming months, possibly beginning in July,” Paul said.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/india-to-buy-pfizer-moderna-jabs-only-at-special-price/articleshow/83354837.cms
