Hyderabad: The scientists from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) in Hyderabad, who played an important role in the development of COVAXIN, the indigenous COVID-19 vaccine by Bharat Biotech, is asked to pay Rs 1400 to take a single dose of the same vaccine.
Bharat Biotech approached the IICT to develop the synthetic route for the agonist molecule using native chemicals with the highest purity at an affordable price. This project was completed within four months by IICT, which led to the success of COVAXIN.
After the hard work that IICT has done, their students and staff are asked to pay for their vaccination. According to a circular issued by the IICT Staff Club, employees and students must pay Rs.1400 for COVAXIN and Rs.1000 for COVISHIELD.
The circular states that the vaccination is arranged by the IICT Staff Club and that interested staff members and students are requested to provide their options for the necessary arrangements.
COVAXIN is the first indigenous in India COVID-19 vaccine. It is being developed using Whole-Virion Inactivated Vero Cell-derived platform technology. This vaccine is inactive and contains a dead virus that can instruct the immune system to develop a defense mechanism against the virus.
Source: The Siasat Daily