Centre places order for 5 crore doses of Corbevax

New Delhi: The Centre has placed a purchase order with Biological E for 5 crore doses of Covid vaccine Corbevax each costing Rs 145 excluding taxes, official sources said on Saturday. The government is yet to decide on which segment of beneficiaries this new vaccine would be administered.

However, according to sources, discussions are underway in technical groups and in the Health Ministry’s immunisation division about expanding the scope of the precaution doses which are currently being given to healthcare and frontline workers, and comorbid senior citizens.

The HLL Lifecare Limited, a public sector undertaking, has issued the supply order of Corbevax to Biological E in Januaryend on behalf of the Union Health Ministry. According to the order, the Hyderabadbased company is expected to provide the supplies in February.

“The cost implication of five crore doses of Corbevax at the rate of Rs 145 per dose plus GST as applicable comes to Rs 725 plus GST as applicable. “In this regard, it is also stated that Rs 1,500 crore has been released as advance vide sanction order dated June 2, 2021, to HLL Lifecare Limited for procurement of Corbevax from Biological E Limited,” the order stated.

The government has told Parliament that any decision on expanding the list of eligible beneficiaries for precaution dose of COVID vaccines will be in accordance with the recommendations of the NTAGI. (PTI)