Hemati: Iran Deposited Prepayment for Purchase of Over 16 Million Doses of Coronavirus Vaccine

The head of Iran’s Central Bank says Tehran has deposited the prepayment for purchasing 16 million and 800 thousand doses of coronavirus vaccine through the “COVAX” program into the World Health Organization’s account.

Abdolnasser Hemati stated on Tuesday, December 7th in an Instagram post that the payment was made with the cooperation of “two Iranian banks” and “three European banks” on the first day after the January holidays.

According to him, “much larger amounts” have been allocated for vaccine purchases that will be funded with currency, provided the Health Ministry approves.

The head of Iran’s Central Bank did not specify the amount transferred or the type of vaccine Iran intends to purchase.

Mr. Hemati claimed in another section of his Instagram post that the prepayment deposit was made despite “obstructive barriers caused by American sanctions.”

Mahmoud Vaezi, the head of the office of Iran’s president, had stated on December 2nd that Iran had concluded a contract to purchase 16.5 million doses of foreign vaccines through the COVAX program and that negotiations are underway to purchase four million doses of vaccine from China.

The COVAX program, being pursued with the participation of 76 countries worldwide, is overseen by the World Health Organization and aims to help purchase and distribute coronavirus vaccines in all countries of the world.

The deposit of the coronavirus vaccine purchase prepayment comes as officials of the Islamic Republic, including Mr. Hemati, claimed over the past two months in response to criticism over the failure to purchase coronavirus vaccines that American sanctions are preventing this.

This is while the United States has repeatedly denied that it has pharmaceutical sanctions against Iran.

In recent weeks, there have been extensive discussions about purchasing foreign vaccines. Some government officials, particularly parliament members, have called for prioritizing domestic vaccine production, and the coordinator of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also announced that IRGC personnel will not use foreign coronavirus vaccines.

Meanwhile, many users on social media, with the hashtag “Buy Vaccine,” have called on the government to prioritize purchasing foreign vaccines.

It is still unclear when Iran’s ordered vaccines will be delivered, as various countries in recent months have pre-purchased many doses of vaccines in the experimental phase, particularly Pfizer and Moderna.

Source: Radio Farda