Iranian Vaccine Proves 100% Effective against UK Coronavirus Variant: Official

Speaking to reporters in the southern province of Fars on Wednesday, the chairman of the Headquarters for Executing the Order of Imam Khomeini, the institution that has developed the first Iranian vaccine for COVID-19, said the homegrown vaccine is one hundred percent effective against the mutated variant of coronavirus found in the UK.

Mohammad Mokhber, whose daughter was the first Iranian volunteer to get the COV Iran Barkat vaccine in late December, said the first stage of human trials has ended successfully.

Once the second phase of the clinical trials yields successful results, the third stage of human tests will begin in April, he added.

Last week, the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute unveiled the second Iranian vaccine for the coronavirus, administered via injection or inhalation.

Cov-Pars is a vaccine based on recombinant protein that can be injected or inhaled.

In comments at the unveiling ceremony, Health Minister Saeed Namaki said Iran is going to become a main hub of vaccine production in the world in the coming months.

Officials say Iran will receive around 16 million doses of vaccines through the World Health Organization’s COVAX program, import more than 25 million doses from abroad, and produce 25 million other doses inside the country.