State govts begin vaccine price negotiations, eye Rs 150 per dose

States would have to fund procurement from their own budgets and bridge funding from the Centre is unlikely

State governments are drawing up plans to procure vaccines for people in the 18-45 age group and have started price negotiations with manufacturers.
 
While Uttar Pradesh has sought 10 million doses (five million each from Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech), Maharashtra is looking to procure 15 million and is floating a global tender for this. Vaccine makers, however, say states are seeking to procure the products at Rs 150 per dose after the Centre said it would continue to get them at that price.
 
However, Maharashtra is yet to firm up its views on free doses. While Maharashtra