Just hours after announcing the new caped price of Covishield vaccine for state Pune-based Serum Institute chief Adar Poonawalla will be given “Y category” security across the country informed Union Home Ministry. The Union Home Ministry issued orders regarding this today after conducting a detailed threat assessment, sources said.
“Y category” security involves the presence of 11 security personnel – one or two of them commandos and the rest policemen.
Earlier today Adar Poonawalla said that “As a philanthropic gesture on behalf of Serum Institute India, I hereby reduce the price to the states from Rs.400 to Rs.300 per dose, effective immediately; this will save thousands of crores of state funds going forward. This will enable more vaccinations and save countless lives”.
Serum Institute has been criticized after it announced the pricing of its Covishield vaccine to the states for the 18 to 45 age group Rs 400 a shot, way above the Rs 150 price offered to the Centre. The pricing has provoked anger and debate, with opposition leaders and many on social media demanding ‘One vaccine one price’.
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