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COVID-19 vaccine precautionary dose service charge capped at Rs. 150
The government has capped the service charge for COVID-19 vaccine booster dose at Rs. 150 for private centers.

COVID-19 vaccine precautionary dose service charge capped at Rs. 150

Edited by Ramya Patelkhana
Apr 09, 2022
05:57 pm

What's the story

The Centre on Saturday announced that private vaccination centers can charge a service fee of up to Rs. 150 in addition to the cost of the precautionary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from beneficiaries. This comes a day after the government announced that everyone aged over 18 years in the country will be eligible for the precautionary doses, or booster shots, from Sunday.

Context

Why does this story matter?

The Centre on Friday announced precautionary doses for all adults at a time when the majority of the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted with India witnessing a decline in cases. Notably, the move came after several experts earlier called for booster shots to be administered to everyone in the 18+ age group amid predictions that India could witness its fourth wave from June 2022.

Prices

Cost of Covishield, COVAXIN booster doses reduced

Notably, following the government's announcement of boosters for adults, the prices of the precautionary doses of SII's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's COVAXIN have been slashed. Both vaccine doses will now cost Rs. 225 (excluding service charges). To recall, Covishield's booster was priced at Rs. 600 while that of COVAXIN was Rs. 1,200. Meanwhile, Covovax will reportedly cost Rs. 900+taxes once approved as a booster.

Co-WIN registration?

No fresh registrations required on Co-WIN

Notably, no fresh registrations on the Centre's Co-WIN platform are required for precautionary doses as all beneficiaries would already be registered on it. However, beneficiaries can book their time slots and choose vaccination centers on Co-WIN. Once their booking is successful, they will also receive a confirmation message on their registered mobile number along with an OTP to be shown at the vaccination center.

Latest update

Over 1.2L precautionary doses administered today

As of Saturday, India has administered a total of nearly 185.6 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses. Overall, more than 83.8 crore people have been fully vaccinated and nearly 99.5 crore have received one vaccine dose, while 2.3 crore precautionary doses have been administered so far. On Saturday, India administered over 12.8 lakh doses till 5:50 pm, including over 1.2 lakh precautionary doses, according to Co-WIN.

Immunization drive

Boosters for healthcare workers, senior citizens announced 3 months ago

The Centre's landmark decision on Friday means that the drive to administer precautionary doses to all adults from Sunday (April 10) will begin exactly three months after the government first commenced providing booster shots in India. To recall, the Centre had begun administering the same to healthcare and frontline workers and senior citizens with comorbidities back on January 10.