India to buy 1 crore needle-free Zydus Cadila coronavirus shots for Rs 265 each

New Delhi : For extra pace in protecting Indians from the coronavirus, the government has reportedly given a green signal to the purchase of 1 crore Zydus Cadila needle-free coronavirus vaccine for Rs 265 each.

The price was brought down and then settled after a persistent negotiations between the company and the government.

Zydus Cadila's ZyCov-D is the first vaccine cleared by India's drug regulator for inoculation of those aged 12 years and above.

For the administration of this needle free vaccine, a special painless jet applicator worth Rs 93 each is required separately, taking the total cost of vaccine to Rs 358 per dose.

The Ahmedabad-based pharma company earlier had proposed a price of ₹ 1,900 for its three-dose regimen, sources said.

"The company has brought down the price to ₹ 358 for each dose which includes ₹ 93, the cost of a disposable jet applicator, following repeated negotiations by the government," a source in the know of developments told news agency PTI.

The three doses of the vaccine must be administered with a gap of 28 days.

Currently, India has three vaccines – COVISHIELD, COVAXIN and SPUTNIK V. The nation has administered 106 crore vaccines so far.

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