According to the Joint Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, Suchitra Ella, the company has begun the direct supply of its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin to almost 14 states, that includes Delhi and Maharashtra, with effect from 1st May.

The Hyderabad-based company commenced the supply of its vaccine to the states as per the allocations received from the central government. Ella had tweeted Bharat Biotech confirms the direct supplies of COVAXIN to the following state since 1/5/21, based on the allocations received by Government of India. Requests are also received from other states and will be processed soon for distribution based on availability of stocks 24x7.

The company is supplying the vaccines to Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

On 29th April, Bharat Biotech had announced a drop in the price of Covaxin to Rs 400 from Rs 600 per dose in several states. This followed a widespread criticism regarding its pricing policy as Covaxin was sold to the central government at Rs 150 per dose. India has announced expansion of its COVID-19 vaccination drive by permitting the 18-plus population to get immunized from 1st May.

Source: ET Healthworld