NASHIK: Municipal Commissioner Kailas Jadhav on Thursday informed that the government has allowed private hospitals to purchase the Covid vaccine directly from the company. Hence, the vaccine will now be available in private hospitals. However, it is understood that the rates will remain high.
Meanwhile, citizens will get free vaccines from government hospitals and vaccination centres. Earlier, the government used to buy the vaccine from a company for Rs 150 and give it to private hospitals. While private hospitals used to charge Rs 250 from citizens adding Rs 100 as handling charge to it. As the government has now allowed private hospitals to buy vaccine directly from the company, there will be no government control over the vaccine charges by private hospitals.
It is understood that Covaxin, which costs around Rs. 250, would now cost Rs 1250, while Covishield cost Rs 850. Meanwhile, the citizens between the ages of 18 and 44 seem of the mentality to get vaccinated from a private hospital by paying the charges. Citizens have understood the importance of vaccines.
The rate of Rs 850 is not high but the price of the vaccine is higher abroad, said Municipal Commissioner Jadhav. Earlier, The Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to buy the Covid-19 vaccine for five lakh citizens belonging to the age group of 18-44. Those citizens who are stepping out for business and job purpose in the city are in the age group of 18- 44. It is very essential to vaccinate them.
Considering the third wave of Covid-19, a decision will be taken immediately in case of availability of the vaccine, it had been decided in the meeting held earlier. It is expected that the vaccine would be available from the government from August. In case NMC is getting it before, it is proper to purchase it.
It will be easier to get the vaccine available from Mumbai, Pune and Thane Municipal Corporations after taking stock of the rates offered in the global tenders floated by them. It had been decided to conduct a separate meeting to get information in detail about the rates of these Municipal Corporations and the availability of the vaccine.
