Centre Places Purchase Order For 5 Crore Doses Of Corbevax Covid-19 Vaccine: Report

On August 21, the government of India made an order for 30 crore Corbevax medicines, according to sources, news agency ANI reported.

Representational Image. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: The Central Government has placed an order with Hyderabad-based Pharmaceutical business Biological E for five crore doses of the 'Corbevax' COVID-19 vaccine, with each dosage costing Rs 145, according to the reports.

On August 21, the government of India made an order for 30 crore Corbevax medicines, according to sources, news agency ANI reported.

The administration has not yet chosen who will receive the vaccination. Corbevax, on the other hand, can be used to immunise youngsters aged 12 to 15 years.

The dosages are planned to be delivered in February by the Hyderabad-based business.

“The cost implication of five crores dosed of Corbevax at the rate of ₹145 per dose plus GST as applicable come to ₹725 plus GST as applicable," the order was quoted by PTI in its report.

“In this regard, it is also stated that Rs 1,500 crores has been released as advance vide sanction order dated June 2, 2021, to HLL Lifecare Limited for procurement of Corbevax from Biological E Limited,” the order stated.

The government has informed Parliament that any decision to expand the list of eligible beneficiaries for precaution doses of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination of children under the age of 15 will be made in accordance with the NTAGI's recommendations based on a review of the available scientific evidence.

Corbevax, India's first indigenously created RBD protein sub-unit vaccine against COVID-19, has been licenced for limited use in an emergency scenario by India's Drug Regulatory Authority.

Corbevax is injected intramuscularly in two doses 28 days apart and is kept at temperatures ranging from 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. It is available in 0.5 mL (single dosage) and 5 mL (ten doses) vial packs.

In the nation, the business has undertaken phase 1/2 and 2/3 clinical studies of its COVID-19 vaccine. According to the health ministry, it has also performed a phase 3 active comparator clinical study to test superiority over the Covishield vaccination.

On December 10 and 27, last year, CDSCO examined the Emergency Use Authorization request for Corbevax in cooperation with the SEC. Following discussion, it proposed granting approval for limited use in an emergency circumstance to produce and commercialise Corbevax in people aged 18 and up, subject to numerous regulatory requirements.

HLL Lifecare Limited, a public sector business, has placed a Corbevax supply order to Biological E. Biological E, a pharmaceutical business, has also been granted authorisation to conduct heterologous booster dosage experiments. 

(With Agencies Inputs)