After receiving flak of criticism for profiteering, the Centre government on Tuesday has capped the maximum price of Covid-19 vaccine for the private hospitals.

The Centre has now directed all the private hospitals across the nation to charge Rs780 for Covishield, Rs1, 410 for Covaxin and Rs1, 145 for Russian vaccine Sputnik-V. The prices capped are now inclusive of taxes as well as a Rs 150 service charge for the hospitals.

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Additionally, the Union Ministry has directed all states to do not allow private hospitals to incur a service charge of more than Rs 150. In order to keep check of the same, the authority has been given to the States to regularly monitor private hospitals and to take stern action against medical facilities which would be charging exorbitantly.

However, in public health centres, people over 18 would get their jab for free. PM Modi on Monday had announced a centralized vaccination policy under which eligible groups will be inoculated against Covid-19 for free. Notably, PM Modi’s free vaccination address came days after the Supreme Court termed the Centre’s vaccine pricing policy as ‘arbitrary’ and ‘irrational.’

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