Biological E’s recombinant protein Covid-19 vaccine, Corbevax, could well emerge as the most affordable of vaccines in the Indian market once it gets emergency use approval. It is slated to be rolled out at a sub-Rs 500 pricing, not for one dose but both the doses, and may even be priced below Rs 400 for two doses. Biological E managing director Mahima Datla had hinted at this in an exclusive interview to TOI earlier, adding the pricing was yet to be finalised.
SII’s Covishield is priced at Rs 300 a dose for state governments and Rs 600 a dose for private hospitals, while the corresponding figures for Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin are Rs 400 and Rs 1,200. Russian vaccine Sputnik V has been priced at Rs 995 per jab.
Corbevax is undergoing phase III trials and with phase I & II trials showing promising results, the Centre has pre-booked 30 crore doses for an advance payment of Rs 1,500 crore or Rs 50 per dose.
