New Delhi: Government had asked Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech, the makers of the two vaccines currently in use in India.

The new prices — announced by the companies recently — will be applicable only for those between 18 and 45 years after the government starts inoculation for them from May 1.

The government has said free vaccination for those above 45, and health care and front line workers at government hospitals will continue, as is the practice now. “Vaccination drive to continue as before, providing free vaccination for essential and priority populations as defined earlier i.e. HCWs, FLWs and population above 45 years,” the government said in an April 19 statement.

Oxford-Astra Zeneca’s Covishield in India fixed the prices at Rs 400 a dose for state governments and Rs 600 a dose for private hospitals. It currently charges the central government Rs 150 per dose for the existing supplies. “Covishield is the most affordable Covid-19 vaccine available in the market today,” SII has said. The initial prices were kept very low globally as these were based on advance funding given by those countries for at-risk vaccine manufacturing, the company maintains.