`Theater of absurd': Hyd-based CSIR- IICT scientists who developed synthetic route for COVID vaccines charged for jabs
Students and staff of CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) are being asked to shell out Rs 1400 for Covaxin dose and Rs 1000 Covishield dose.
By Sumit Jha Published on 7 Jun 2021 4:35 AM GMT
Hyderabad: Believe it or not, students and staff of CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) are being asked to shell out Rs 1400 for Covaxin dose and Rs 1000 for Covishield dose.
This is despite the fact that scientists at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) have developed a synthetic route for the agonist molecule with indigenous chemicals at an affordable price and with the highest purity for the Covaxin vaccine.
"The vaccination activity will be arranged through IICT Staff Club and interested staff members, students who are willing to avail this facility are requested to give their option by filling in the details to enable IICT Staff Club for making necessary arrangements," said the circular by IICT staff club.
IICT scientists, who developed the agonist molecule and have aided Bharat Biotech to scale up the production of the adjuvant, are now arranging vaccines for staff and family.
When NewsMeter contacted the representative of the IICT staff club, they refused to answer the query about the paid vaccination drive.
Covaxin vaccine is formulated with Algel-IMDG, which contains chemisorbed TLR7/8 agonist onto aluminum hydroxide gel to generate the requisite type of immune responses. Owing to the significant role played by TLR7/8 agonist molecule in the performance of a vaccine IICT was approached by BBIL to develop the synthetic route for the agonist molecule with indigenous chemicals at an affordable price and with the highest purity.
