Iran's Rowhani: Virus could take decade to overcome despite vaccines
Iranian President Hassan Rowhani said Saturday that the coronavirus pandemic could take years to overcome despite the availability of vaccines.
"Even with the vaccines, it could take up to 10
years until the virus is finally defeated ... so people should not hope for
normalcy or a return to the past for the time being," Rowhani said on
state television.
The president said that Iranians
should continue to adhere to all hygiene regulations, at least for another year.
Iran started its vaccination
programme on Tuesday. Doctors and nurses are being vaccinated first, followed
by people over 65 years of age.
The Russian vaccine Sputnik V is being used in the first round of inoculations. In addition to Sputnik V, Iran wants to import vaccines from China and India later in the year.
