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IRAN - Iran At Risk Of COVID-19 Fifth Wave As Homegrown Vaccine Campaign Stalls
July 14, 2021: Iran At Risk Of COVID-19 Fifth Wave As Homegrown Vaccine Campaign Stalls.
Iran, one of the countries hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, is at risk of a fifth wave of infections, according to outgoing President Hassan Rohani, after the Delta variant led to a new spike in cases. Restrictions have been reimposed in cities, with parks, restaurants, and businesses closed. The measures come after president Hassan Rohani warned the country faces another wave of infections. The government wants to speed up its vaccination program with its homegrown Coviran Barakat vaccine. Meanwhile, the national vaccination campaign is still moving slowly, with only around 4.5 million of Iran's 83 million people having received a vaccine shot so far. Iran says Coviran offers 85% protection, but limited scientific data has been published, and there are concerns over the production process. It’s also working with Cuba on another vaccine, and with Russia to produce Sputnik V in Iran. Arash Anisian, director of Tehran’s Ibn Sina Hospital, claims Iranians have faith in the country’s own shot. Anisian claims buying foreign vaccines has been hampered by U.S. sanctions. But supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banned U.S. and U.K. vaccines in January, calling them unreliable. Anisian also said that “Unfortunately, because of the sanctions, the government treasury is empty, and we have a lack of equipment. Now, thank God, many of the problems have been resolved”. Some Tehran residents blame the government for the Covid crisis, and people ignoring restrictions. “The government’s efforts have been absoluyely insufficient, and now we are experiencing the fifth and sixth peaks, while Covid 19 is becoming history in the rest of the world”. “We all have rights, just like other citizens. When someone takes power, they are responsible for us and for our children. How is this the fault of the children, who have received no proper education for two years?”. “You can see now despite the rising infections, many people don’t use a mask, and they don’t observe health regulations. That’s why infections are rising”. Iran is among the countries hardest hit by Covid 19 and the worst hit in the region. The country has reported 3,3 million infections and over 85.000 deaths. Actual number are believed to be higher
https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-at-risk-of-covid-19-fifth-wave-as-homegrown-vaccine-campaign-stalls/31356376.html (Source: Reuters)
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