Iran commenced its vaccination campaign today, Tuesday, using the Russian "Sputnik V" vaccine against the coronavirus.
The vaccination campaign was initiated in the presence of Iranian Health Minister Saeed Namaki, with participation from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani via video link. At the start of the campaign, the Iranian president stated, "We are proud to begin the vaccination on the eve of the anniversary of the victory of the Iranian revolution. I am ready to receive any vaccine approved by the Iranian Ministry of Health to build trust with citizens in receiving vaccines."
For his part, the Health Minister announced that vaccinations would begin with medical staff, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases, expressing hope that the Iranian vaccine would be available in markets by next April. The first person to receive the vaccine today was Barsam Namaki, the son of the Iranian Health Minister, who stated after receiving the vaccine, "I am happy to contribute to the fight against the coronavirus as a member of the Iranian medical staff." Iranian television reported that 1.3 million citizens will be vaccinated by mid-March.
