Covaxin, an indigenous vaccine for Covid-19 has been rolled by Bhart Biotech this morning. Apart from Delhi, the vaccine has been sent to 10 cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Patna, Jaipur, among other.
A day after the Covishield was sent to around 13 cities by Serum Institute of India, the Covaxin roll out may be a big push for the inoculation drive going to be held from January 16. It has been touted as the 'world's biggest' drive by the officials.
An official was quoted as saying to ANI, "The first consignment of vaccine from Bharat Biotech is being carried by Air India on AI 559 from Hyderabad to Delhi on Wednesday at 0640 hours."
It is expected that the Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech will roll out 13 consignments from its factory today.
55 Lakh doses of Covaxin and 1.01 crore doses of Covishield are being procured as per the data by the Health Ministry. While Bharat Biotech is charging Rs 295 per dose, the per dose of Covishield is around Rs 200.
16.5 Lakh doses will be given free of cost by Bharat Biotech which has prepared Covaxin in partnership with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The centre has received 54,72,00 doses of vaccines so far. 100% doses are expected to be received by UTs and States by January 14.
Both the two-doses emergency approval vaccines will be administered at a gap of 28 days.