Iran has begun the first human trial of COVID-19 vaccine generated by local pharmacy Shifa Pharmed which is part of a state- owned pharmaceutical conglomerate.
Iran has started the first human trial of coronavirus vaccine "Coviran" that has been produced by a domestic pharmacy, Shifa Pharmed which is part of a state- owned pharmaceutical conglomerate. President Hassan Rouhani informed that they are working with some "foreign country" on another vaccine that is expected to be available for human trials by February, without mentioning its details.
Iran is the worst affected country by the pandemic in the Middle East.
The virus affected more than 1.2 million people and killed approximately 55,000. As per the clinical trial manager, Hamed Hosseini, the study that is a Phase- I clinical trial, will enroll 56 volunteers who will receive two shots of "Coviran" within a span of two weeks. Its results will be announced after one month of giving the second shot to the volunteers.
Three people received the first shot on Tuesday at a ceremony at Tehran Hotel. "I am happy that the scientific process went ahead in a proper way." Tayebeh Mokhber, daughter of the Barekat Pharmaceutical Group chairman said. She added," I hope the conclusion will be health for our people." She was the first one to get injected.
Iranian government has often claimed that US sanctions have caused hindrance in getting foreign vaccines to get their citizens inoculated.
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