Saeed Namaki started the vaccination day with a charade. He rambled on about how great he’s been doing and then introduced his son as an “elite” student of Sharif University who is there to receive the first Sputnik V shot to prove his father keeps his promise! The efficacy and safety of the Russian coronavirus has been questioned by many health experts saying, “I don’t take it.” The same notion continues in hospitals with some nurses casting doubts on the jabs. National Task Force Spokesman told reporters about 10,000 healthcare staff are to be immunized in the first stage of vaccinations. Raisi promised by the end of Persian Year (March 21), 1,300,000 will be vaccinated.
In the meantime, Ministry of Health officials emphasize vaccination doesn’t mean COVID-19 crisis is over, when in fact, the vast coverage of the “vaccination ceremony”, propaganda network and giving empty promises to people, have created a sense of security in people’s minds so that they assume everything is back to normal.
While officials promise new batches of the Russian coronavirus vaccine is to enter Iran in the next 6 weeks, head of “Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order” in charge of manufacturing COVIran Barekat claimed by mid-May, 12-14 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine will be produced! Mokhber claimed 5 countries have made inquiries to buy COVIran Barekat, however, he stopped short of giving more details or names of the countries! Last year, Islamic Republic officials claimed they have been exporting masks to other countries such as Germany and Turkey, when there was shortage of masks in Iran and those countries denied receiving any masks from Iran!
Dr. Tabarsi, a member of COVIran Barekat scientific group said, at least 45-50 million Iranians need to be vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity, that translates to 100 million doses. Jan Babaei, Deputy Health Minister in Treatment Affairs claimed “there is no worry about next year production of coronavirus vaccine in Iran.” He named Sputnik V collaboration, Cuban vaccine, COVIran Barekat and Razi COV-Pars as the sources of vaccine for after March 21.
Despite all confusing reports about vaccines, COVID-19 continue to ravage through the country. Ahvaz hospitals are filled with patients. Head of Ahvaz Medical University said if the uptrend in cases doesn’t stop, Ahvaz would be upgraded to “orange” and more restrictions will be implemented. Chairman of Mashhad Medical Board said the next peak will be deadlier and more widespread. Birjandinejad predicted the beginning of next Persian year (March 21) would be the height of fourth wave with “unprecedented intensity.” Shiraz Medical University officials report increasing number of cases, and an uptrend in deaths in Fars province, asking people, “do not come to Shiraz.” Dr. Masoud Mardani, a member of National Task Force, said in the next 2 weeks the number of fatalities could increase exponentially, especially if the current trend continues.
Ministry of Health Spokesperson presented her daily undercounted and manipulated figures. Sima Sadat Lari reported 89 COVID-19 deaths in Iran in the past 24 hours while 7,640 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. That’s a jump in both categories as seen on graphs. Testing remains in the same range with active cases on the rise.
R0: 4.18
Total: 1,481,396 (+7,640)
Dead: 58,625 (+89)
Recovered: 1,266,518
Critical: 3,762 (-16)
Admitted: 156,253 (+1,078)
Tests: 9,779,202 (11.7% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
Cover: Majid Khahi
