Covaxin: Twitterati spill anger over Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin pricing

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The major vaccine manufacturers in India have rolled out their prices on the vaccine, following PM Narendra Modi’s announcement to open vaccination for all above 18 years of age from 1 May 2021. After Serum Institute of India, fixed its price for ‘Covishield’, another indigeniuos vaccine developer, Bharat Biotech also came forward to announce its pricing for ‘Covaxin’ in India. But the people have not welcomed this step. In fact, majority of the Indians on twitter have expressed their anger on social media over variation in the costs of vaccine set for people. Many twitter users have alleged that the prices set for vaccine are insensitive to the the common as well as low income population in India.

What are Twitter users saying?

On Saturday, Bharat Biotech, fixed the pricing of Covaxin as Rs. 600 per dose for state governments, Rs 1200 per dose for private hospitals and $15 to $20 for exports. After this, a lot of people came forward questioning that why there are different prices set for the vaccine in the country.

One of the twitter user Kirti Agarwal, tweeted if the vaccine is meant to save people or kill them with such huge cost burden. She said that in India there are almost 75 % population, who cannot afford this high cost. She also questioned on the a variation in the price of vaccine from Rs. 150 kept for central government to Rs. 1200 for private hospitals.

Is this made to kill 70% Indians. Have the #CentralGovernment thought about it.India’s 75% population belongs to low income group.The patients goto privates hosiptals only with insurance claims. Rs.150 to Rs.1200.Please spare #Indians.Human life is the God gift,consider it. https://t.co/xtL2TasolH

— Kirti Agarwal (@KirtiAg98162130) April 24, 2021

Another user said-

Every individual has certain social obligation towards the society and betterment of the society. And I asked for the rationale behind doubling the rate at Pvt hospital. We need to ramp up the vaccination, the price difference is such that people will go to govt centres only.

— Naveen Balwan (@BalwanNaveen44) April 25, 2021

This looks like simply Indian manufacturers don’t want the vaccine to be sold in India so quoting so much high prices where a local production actually has to have lesser price tag.

Rs.1200 this is much more than what Covishield has been quoted.

— SRG (@cooldudesrg) April 24, 2021

There are also some users who find this pricing logical and right. They have also tweeted.

We are perfectly ok with the price. By god’s grace I can afford 1200 to safeguard my family and for the poor it will be provided in govt hospital free of cost or as per price decided by respective state Govt 🙏

— Lilly (Bengali Didi) (@Miss_exliberal) April 24, 2021