Private hospitals can charge max Rs 150 service fee above COVID-19 vaccine price

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation announced that private hospitals in the country can add a maximum of Rs 150 service charge to the Covid-19 vaccine price. He also said the Centre will provide free vaccines to the states for all citizens above the age of 18 years, starting June 21.

"The private hospitals may charge up to a maximum of Rupees 150 per dose as service charges. State governments may monitor the price being so charged," said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in a letter to all states and union territories.

The government has set the maximum price private hospitals can charge for the three COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the country -- Covishield Rs 780 per dose, Covaxin Rs 1,410 and Sputnik V Rs 1,145.

MoHFW suggested that appropriate strict action be taken against private vaccination centres for overcharging.

The maximum price of Covishield for private COVID-19 Vaccination Centres (CVCs) has been fixed at Rs 780 per dose, while that of Covaxin is Rs 1,410 per dose and Sputnik V Rs 1,145 per dose, it said.

MoHFW also asked states to ensure that the prices declared by various private CVCs do not exceed the ceiling.

The Health Ministry also requested states and union territories to regularly monitor the prices being charged by the private CVCs from the citizens.

"It is also requested that wherever instances of overcharging as compared to the price declared by the CVC come to notice, appropriate strict action is taken against any such private CVCs," it added.