Covid-19 vaccination: Govt books 440 million doses with 30% advance

250 mn Covishield and 190 mn Covaxin doses meant for Aug-Dec period

The Centre has placed advance orders for 250 million Covishield and 190 million Covaxin doses to be supplied between August and December, V K Paul, member-health, Niti Aayog, said on Tuesday. He pointed out that 30 per cent advance payment for these doses had already been given to the vaccine makers--Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech. 

The government has not disclosed the amount paid as advance for these orders. However, industry sources indicated that vaccine makers are likely to re-negotiate the price with the government. Till now, the Centre has been procuring vaccine at Rs 150 per dose. “Renegotiations on