Iran Says to Use Both Local and Foreign COVID-19 Vaccines

Iranians men walk in a park in Tehran, Iran October 20, 2020. FILE PHOTO/REUTERS.

DUBAI, Nov 24 (Reuters) – Iran plans to use foreign coronavirus vaccines while also developing its own, President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday as new daily cases hit a record high in the Middle East’s worst-hit country.

“Relying on its scientists, Iran will be able to make vaccines domestically… To ensure the health of the people, the government will use domestic capacities and has also taken … measures to purchase vaccines from countries that have already developed safe ones,” Rouhani said, according to state media.

Health Minister Saeed Namaki said earlier that four Iranian companies were developing coronavirus vaccines, two of which were expected to be authorised within days to carry out clinical trials, the state news agency IRNA reported.


(Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Gareth Jones and Alex Richardson)