Serum India’s Adar Poonawalla says Covishield Booster Dose will be priced at ₹ 600 Plus Taxes

New Delhi: Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla today welcomed the Central Government’s decision to allow the booster doses for the Covid Vaccines. The booster doses will primarily begin at the Private Vaccination Centers. Poonawala said that amidst the rising number of variants of the Coronavirus, this is a timely and crucial decision. A lot of countries are not allowing travelers until they are done with their booster doses.

However, the booster shot will not be free for most adults. The booster shot is free of cost but only for Healthcare, Frontline Workers, and those above the age of 60. Mr. Poonawalla said that the cost of the vaccine Covishield will be ₹ 600 plus taxes, and that of the Covovax will be at ₹ 900 per taxes. A few have criticized the payment on Social Media and mentioned that Healthcare should not be a luxury.

India's drug regulator had last month granted restricted emergency use authorization to Serum Institute's COVID-19 vaccine Covovax for the 12-17 years age group subject to certain conditions.