President Allays Concerns about Iran’s Access to Coronavirus Vaccine
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani assured people that his administration strives to meet demand for the coronavirus vaccine with a homegrown product, purchases from reliable foreign companies, and delivery of vaccine through the World Health Organization's COVAX program.
Speaking after a trilateral meeting of heads of Iran’s branches of power, held on Tuesday, Rouhani dismissed speculations about the COVID-19 vaccine supply in the virtual space that may concern people.
“One of the important issues for the administration at this juncture is undoubtedly supplying the (coronavirus) vaccine needed by people,” the president emphasized.
He gave an assurance that the administration would take all necessary measures to develop a homegrown vaccine and make purchases from the reliable companies that are a hundred percent trustworthy.
“The administration has also applied for vaccine from COVAX and has made a payment. Millions of doses of vaccine have been purchased in that way that would be supplied and the vaccination will be carried out,” the president added.
Rouhani also pointed to the topics discussed in the trilateral meeting with the Judiciary chief and the Parliament speaker, citing the health of people, livelihood conditions, and nullification of the cruel sanctions.
Highlighting the administration’s success in reducing the coronavirus death toll to a two-digit number after months, the president said it is important to preserve the declining fatality rates.
On the plans to support and improve the livelihood of people, Rouhani said Iran has been grappling with a massive economic war for three years, but the people have overcome major problems with resistance and fortitude.
He said that the next year’s national budget proposed by the administration has focused on the livelihood conditions, expressing hope that the coordination with the heads of the Parliament and the Judiciary would help achieve the budgetary targets and serve the national interests and development.
Like the past two years, the administration has cut off the current budget’s dependence on the oil revenues in the proposed budget bill, the president added, according to the government’s website.
He further denounced the cruel sanctions the enemies have imposed on Iran, stressing that the sanctions must be lifted in order for “commitment vis- -vis commitment”.
Echoing remarks by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, the president said Iran would take a practical step in response to every practical step from the other side.