Farhan Akhtar questions Serum Institute over disparity in vaccine prices in India

Indian actor Farhan Akhtar has questioned the Serum Institute of India [SII] on why it was providing the Covidshield vaccine at different prices across the country.

The Bhaag Milkha Bhaag actor wrote on Twitter: “Can a spokesperson for the Serum Institute India please help us understand why states should not get Covishield at the same price as the centre??

“And if they have issued a statement citing reasons, could someone please share a link re the same. Thank you.”

Another Indian actor named Sonu Sood also took to Twitter to state how every needy person “should get the vaccine for free.”

He wrote: “Corporates and individuals who can afford should come forward to help everyone get vaccinated,” along with the same breaking news banner photograph about the vaccine prices that Akhtar shared.

“धंधा फिर कभी और कर लेंगे। (Do business some other time),” Sood wrote in Hindi.

According to reports, the Serum Institute has said states will get the Covidshield vaccine at Rs. 400 (£3.84) a dose, and private hospitals at Rs. 600 (£5.76) a dose. On the other hand, the price for the centre stays at Rs. 150 (£1.44).

Individuals who are qualified to get a vaccine in India can proceed to get it for Rs. 250 (£2.40)

So far, in excess of 109 million individuals have received one dose, and more than 17 million individuals have been completely immunised after receiving two dosages in the country.

To increase the Covid immunisation drive in the country, the Indian government on Monday announced a “liberalised and accelerated” Phase 3 strategy of Covid-19 vaccination from 1 May, with everyone over the age of 18 eligible to get the vaccine.