Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei received the second dose of indigenously-produced COVIran Barekat coronavirus vaccine on Friday morning.
In his remarks after receiving the second dose of the vaccine in Tehran, Ayatollah Khamenei urged officials to focus on domestic production of Covid-19 vaccines and to ensure smooth vaccine roll-out.
He blamed the disruption in people’s access to coronavirus vaccines on breach of promises by foreign vaccine sellers, reiterating his call for self-reliance in vaccine production.
“This issue (of disruption in access to vaccines) once again reminded the people and officials that relying on others causes problems, so we must be able to stand on our own feet in all matters,” the Leader asserted.
The Leader of Islamic Revolution had received the first jab of the vaccine developed by Iran’s Shifa Pharmed Industrial Group on June 25. Human injection of the first phase of clinical studies of the first coronavirus vaccine, made by Iranian researchers called COVIran Barekat, began on December 29, 2020.
Iranian scientists and experts have succeeded in developing several vaccines against the coronavirus, despite the cruel sanctions imposed by the US.
The Leader had previously set two conditions for using the coronavirus vaccine: first, that he would not receive the vaccination out of turn; second, that he would only receive an Iranian vaccine.
In his remarks, the Leader touched on many mutations of the virus and their cataclysmic dangers, urging the people to comply with all necessary heath protocols, as recommended by health authorities.
He said the full compliance with health guidelines will eradicate the disease or contain it from spreading.
Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei lauded the efforts of healthcare workers, especially the scientists and researchers involved in the production of local vaccines.
He called on the government agencies to “seriously support” the production of domestic vaccines so that the delay in administering vaccines to people of all age-groups can be reduced.
