From May 1, private hospitals will not receive Covid Vaccines from the Government, as part of a new liberal policy announced on Monday. They will have to buy them directly from the vaccine manufacturers. However, hospitals have just started talking to manufacturers and supplies will have to be tightened in the next 10 days or more, in order to meet the May 1 plan.
Officials who spoke at private hospitals said there was no clarity on the provision or prices at the moment, and that negotiations would begin.
Fortis Group COO Anil Vinayak stated in an Interview that, “We are waiting for the expected guidelines within a week. But what we do understand is that private hospitals will need to buy directly from the person making the vaccine. ”
What is clear is that from May 1, private hospitals will no longer offer Rs 250 per jab option. People who want their second dose after May 1 can choose to get a free jab from a government immunization facility or pay the amount negotiated with the vaccine manufacturer at a private facility, as long as the goods are available.
"The current time when private Covid vaccine centers receive doses from the government and can charge up to Rs 250 per dose will no longer exist," said a phase 3 vaccination campaign policy document.
‘Price would be closely Monitered’
“Private hospitals will have to purchase their own Covid-19 vaccine specially for the 50% capacity reserved for another Indian state channel. The cost of vaccinating private hospitals will be considered. ”
Under the new policy, half of the production of local producers will go to the center and the rest will be to the national government and the open market, including private hospitals. That final 50% will be sold to the provinces and the open market at a price already announced.
While private hospitals are awaiting further clarification on the goods, some have begun discussions with manufacturers. "We are in contact with the Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech and Dr. Reddy's - it is in the first phase," said a private hospital official. "A person who is scheduled to receive a second dose may choose to get it for free at public institutions or by calling at a private facility."
The fees currently charged by the private sector are funded at Rs 250 per dose - Rs 150 per vaccine and Rs 100 as administrative fees. The center has directed the provinces and private hospitals to focus on a second volume of people aged 45 and over.
The second volume of all existing high-level groups namely HCWs (health care workers), FLW (senior staff) and a population over the age of 45, wherever appropriate, will be prioritized, which is a specific strategy and focus. which will be communicated to all stakeholders, ”said the policy document.
The government has said it will allow emergency use of foreign vaccines approved by the US, European, UK and Japanese regulators, with the exception of those listed on the World Health Organization's emergency list. This will not be used in a public immunization campaign for people 45 and older, who will continue to rely on two approved vaccines - Covishield and Covaxin. "This is under the approval program," Vinayak said, referring to foreign vaccines.
With the availability of limits limited, the government has already indicated that 50% of the monthly rates will be used by the Agency and the remaining 50% will be released to national governments and open markets.
"An import drug ready for full use will be allowed to be fully utilized outside the Indian government channel," states the country's governments and the open market.
Despite "The Price would be Monitored" statement, it is speculated that hoarding and black marketing would find its way in vaccine program, making the poor patients helpless. It is yet to be seen how administration works in private distribution as the restrictions and monitoring is likely to be hampered.
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