More Pvt Vax Centres Open But Cost Up To ₹1,250/dose

Mumbai: A day after HN Reliance and Apollo in Navi Mumbai, Vile Parle’s Balabhai Nanavati hospital became the third private facility to start Covid vaccination for all above 18 years on Tuesday. Hospitals are charging Rs 700Rs 900 for a dose of Covishield and Rs 1,250 for Covaxin, giving rise to demands for price uniformity.

- Sumitra DebRoy

It may be a while before more private hospitals get into the drive given the lack of assurances from the state or the BMC about supply. By April 30, private hospitals had administered over 6.24lakh doses. Fortis Hospital, Mulund is the only likely candidate to start vaccination in a few days. A few mid-level hospitals are also trying to source doses but volumes may not be high.

The Centre had said private facilities must make their own arrangements from May 1 by procuring from manufacturers directly or importing doses. But the head of one of the city’s premier hospitals said the Centre ought to have made its stand clear earlier.