COVID-19 vaccine chaos is reaching a new height! Alireza Biglari, Director of Pasteur Institute, said “Coronavirus vaccine from the COVAX program will arrive Iran within 6-8 weeks!” He also mentioned purchases will be made from “reliable companies” which would arrive Iran later than COVAX ones! He didn’t offer any details on the name of companies or countries. Yesterday, he made some other conflicting comments! While most countries have already started immunizing their population, Iranians would have to go through at least 2 more months of agony, however, history suggests this is another lie to buy some time!
In the meantime, head of Central Bank of Islamic Republic posted on Instagram: “The problem to pay for the vaccine is resolved.” He repeated his rhetoric that US sanctions have caused the delay for payment! However, he causes another confusion: The money wasn’t being sent from Iran or Iranian banks, but the money was released from a South Korean bank which had some of regime’s money blocked! He also said 200million Euro has been allocated for importing coronavirus vaccine, far below what’s needed for even 30% of the population. According to Saeed Namaki, 16,800,000 doses have been paid for which covers about 10% of Iran population, probably for IRGC members and high ranking officials, not ordinary citizens or front line fighters.
WHO and US had repeatedly refuted regime’s officials that there was any problem for them to pay for the vaccine! After their statements, Islamic Republic officials started to talk about FATF being the problem which was refuted by some other officials. As usual, Islamic Republic ruling the country and distracting people by creating chaos and contradictory statements.
Despite the decline manipulated data of Ministry of Health shows in number of cases and deaths due to COVID-19 in Iran, the provincial officials and health experts warn about the next peak if the situation is normalized again! However, those warnings don’t stop the Friday Prayers Committee to announce holding of Sermons across the country tomorrow! A gathering that would cause inner-city traffic and crowded public transportation! Religious ceremonies remain “isolated” from coronavirus spread, according to Islamic Republic!
Sima Sadat Lari announced 152 COVID-19 deaths and 6,178 positive coronavirus tests in Iran in the past 24 hours. Testing remains in the same range. Number of “orange” and “yellow” counties remain at 205 and 243, respectively. Basic Reproduction Rate (R0) and graphs continue to be best indicators of more than 310 days of disaster in the country.
R0: 4.42
Total: 1,183,182 (+6,178)
Dead: 54,308 (+152)
Recovered: 924,685
Critical: 5,371 (-48)
Admitted: 204,189 (-4,465)
Tests: 7,253,750 (8.7% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
Cover: Mohammad Mohsenzadeh
