Centre arranges finances to ensure free Covid-19 vaccine for 94 crore people in 18-45 years age group

Biological E Limited is expected to supply 30 crore dosages of the Biological-E vaccine in the next five months and the negotiated cost of each Bio-E vaccine could be as low as Rs 150 or less.

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced free vaccination for everyone in the age group between 18-45 years, the Centre on Thursday said that it has arranged the finances required to undertake the massive drive. The centre is going to bear the cost of arranging 188 crore doses for 94 crore people, who fall in the age bracket, which is estimated to be between Rs 45,000-50,000 crore. A top finance ministry official said that along with the budgetary provision of Rs 35,000 crore, the government will arrange the remaining cash through supplementary demand. Meanwhile, in a major boost to the vaccination drive, the Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company Biological E Limited (BE), which is developing the Biological-E vaccine, is expected to supply 30 crore dosages in the next five months, beginning August 1. Sources told India Today TV that the negotiated cost of each Bio-E vaccine could be as low as Rs 150 or less.