Reacting to a report that the health ministry has fixed Rs 250 per shot at private hospitals and health centres for Phase 2 of vaccination programme, she tweeted, “We r (sic) crushing instead of incentivising vaccine industry.” She added, “Covid Vaccine Jab Capped At Rs 250 At Private Hospitals: Government — understand vaccine cos (sic) feel betrayed as price is too low to sustain.” She asked, “If WHO has agreed to $3 per dose, why beat them down to $2?”

The COVID-19 vaccine will be given free of cost at government hospitals, while people will need to pay for it at private facilities. “R250 will be the ceiling — R150 per dose of vaccine plus Rs 100 service charge. This arrangement will remain effective till further orders,” an official source said.