SII gets purchase order from government for 10 crore doses of Covishield

Serum Institute of India (SII) has received a new purchase order from the Government of India for the supply of 10-crore doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine — Covishield — each dose costing Rs 157.5, including GST, according to official sources. HLL Lifecare, a PSU, has issued the supply order on behalf of the Union health ministry on March 12 in the name of Prakash Kumar Singh, Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs, at the Pune-based SII. The cost of the 10-crore doses would be borne by the health ministry.

Reportedly, the expenditure for the earlier orders of the COVID-19 vaccines was funded by PM Cares Fund, the sources added.