Serum Institute of India to price Covid-19 vaccine at USD 3 per dose

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 7

World’s leading vaccine maker Serum Institute of India on Friday said it would produce up to 100 million Covid-19 vaccine doses for India and low- and middle-income countries as early as 2021.

The institute in a statement said it would price each dose of the vaccine for USD 3 which roughly translates into Indian Rupees 225.

SII issued the statement after entering into what it called a new landmark collaboration between the SII, GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines) and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

SII to get $150 mn from Gates Foundation

Under the arrangement the Bill and Melinda Gates Goundation via its strategic investment fund will provide at-risk funding of USD 150 million to GAVI which will be used to support the SII to manufacture the potential vaccine candidates.

“Vaccines will be priced at maximum USD 3 per dose and made available to the 92 countries included in GAVI’s COVAX Advance Market Commitment,” Adar Poonawala-led SII said in a statement.

Pune based Serum Institute has partnered with Oxford University and British Swedish Pharma firm Astra Zeneca to mass produce the frontrunner COVID 19 vaccine Covishield which has entered phase 3 clinical trials in some countries after showing safety and immune response in phase 1 and 2 studies in the UK.

Indian Drug controller has also permitted SII to undertake phase 2 and 3 human trials on Covishield in India.