The sheer cost difference in every private hospital in Hyderabad to get a Covid vaccine. The Telangana government already issued a strict orders to maintain the price of each vaccine, despite all, the hospitals are floating the norms by charging heavy prices to a common man.
The cost of Covid vaccines varies in Hyderabad depending on the hospital and the vaccine you choose. The CoWIN website now lists private sector vaccination sites, predominantly big hospitals, along with the jab prices.
While the price for Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin varies from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,260, the price for Serum Institute of India’s Covishield varies from Rs 800-850.
Bharat Biotech announced that it would provide Covaxin to the private sector at the rate of Rs 1,200. However, only one hospital follows the actual rate card and has waived service charges. Yashoda Hospital provides Covid vaccination shots for Rs 1,200 across all its branches. The highest rate for Covaxin is in Warangal Jaya Hospital, where Rs 1,260 is charged.
Interestingly, some private vaccination sites are still administering doses for Rs 250. For instance, Malla Reddy Narayana Hospital in Bachupally provides vaccination shots for Rs 250 (Covaxin).
The Serum Institute of India (SII) is charging private hospitals Rs 600 for a dose of Covishield vaccine. Most of the hospitals charge Rs 850 for Covishield. The price variation is found even among branches of the same hospital group. For instance, Rainbow Banjara Hills charges Rs 850 for Covishield, but in LB Nagar branch they charge only Rs 800. Aster Prime Hospital in Ameerpet charges Rs 830 for Covishield dose. SunShine hospital in Gachibowli and Ozone hospital in Dilshuknagar charge Rs 250 for administering Covishield.
The additional costs are justified on the basis of service charges required to be paid towards investments for ensuring cold chain, storage and logistical needs, among others. Initially the Center was procuring these vaccines for Rs 150 and supplying them to the state governments for free.
Only six out of the 33 districts in the state have private hospitals providing Covid vaccination. They are: Hyderabad, RangaReddy, Medchal, Warangal Urban, Jagityal and Karimnagar. In Karimnagar, Warangal and Jagityal, only one hospital each is administering vaccine doses.
Bharat Biotech was given purchase order of 10 lakh doses, of which 2.5 lakh doses have been received. Presently AstraZeneca and Sputnik have come forward with bids in response to the tender called by the Government. Bids for vaccinations close on June 4th. #KhabarLive #hydnews
