More reports of COVID-19 vaccine shortage in Iran are in. Markazi officials admit the end of their vaccine reserves, announcing suspension of the vaccination program until more shots are received. The Arak Medical University official emphasized shots are the only option to end the coronavirus pandemic! Dr. Hemmati from Shiraz Medical University in Fars said there is no vaccine in the whole country, the problem is not specific to Fars. He also made it clear that not enough second doses have been imported from the beginning. Sputnik V’s first and second doses are different. Hemmati confirmed the second dose is not a priority for the Ministry of Health! Yasouj Medical University official reiterated the same point, saying there is no vaccine, not only the second dose, to use.
According to the Ministry of Health, since February 9, total of 4,888,769 shots are administered while only 658,285 (0.78% of population) have received the second shots!
Lead investigator in the third phase of clinical trial for Soberana 02, Cuban-Iranian collaboration, announced the vaccine would enter the markets with the brand name: “PastoCoVac”. Dr. Mostafavi reported the 1/3 of 24,000 volunteers in Iran have received their second shots. He expressed his optimism about safety and efficacy of the vaccine saying the final results will be published in the next 3-5 months, while interim outcome is expected soon. According to him, by fall 2021, 3million doses per month are expected to be manufactured by the Pasteur Institute. The vaccine uses recombinant protein from RBD part of coronavirus’ spike gene, he stated. Islamic Republic officials have been giving false hopes to the people for more than a year about homegrown vaccines, especially after Khamenei banned US and UK made ones.
Meanwhile, officials warn about the fifth wave of coronavirus in Iran! Ministry of Health Spokesperson said the situation is fragile and the new variants, Delta (Indian) and Beta (South African), could emerge across the country. Sima Sadat Lari did not mention the names of the provinces which have confirmed cases. Last official report indicated Bushehr, Hormozgan, Sistan-Baluchestan, Qom, West Azerbaijan and Khuzestan as the hosts of these variants. However, Shiraz Medical University admitted there have been cases in Fars province as well.
Zanjan Medical University president reported 30% positivity rate in several counties in the province, warning the reduction in compliance with protocols is a red alert for health experts and a sign for the fifth wave which might begin in July. In the meantime, Hormozgan officials announced full hospitals across the province. They admit cases and COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to rise in the southern region.
As the sham “presidential election” of Islamic Republic approaches, gatherings increase, despite warnings from health officials and experts. Saeed Mohammad, who had broken the travel ban rules on the long weekend, continued her countrywide tour to Zanjan! No social distancing or any other protocol are observed. However, regime officials and media are laying the groundwork to blame the next possible wave on people and their travels!
Ministry of Health has become a culprit in 16-month coronavirus crisis in Iran, as seen on the graphs. They keep engineering the data to fit regime’s agenda and propaganda, neglecting the health of millions of people in the process. According to Sima Sadat Lari, 120 died of COVID-19 in Iran in the past 24 hours while 4,907 tested positive for the novel coronavirus. She did not mention any details about specific variants. Iran Medical Board and other officials have admitted the real numbers are at least 3 times higher than the daily reports.
R0: 2.93
Total: 2,971,270 (+4,907)
Dead: 81,183 (+120)
Recovered: 2,565,972
Critical: 3,687 (-82)
Active Cases: 324,115 (-8,784)
Tests: 20,812,819 (24.8% of the population, assuming each test was performed on 1 person)
Cover: Tejaratnews
