The newspaper Ettela’at reported that the distribution of flu vaccines in pharmacies across Iran has not begun yet, and domestic production has also been halted. The Food and Drug Organization says it is pursuing the supply of vaccines from China and Russia, but the timing of public availability and the final price have not yet been determined.

Akbar Abdullahi Asl, the Director General of Pharmaceutical Affairs at the Food and Drug Organization, said that delays in the production of the “Vaxigrip” and “Influvac” vaccines, along with sanctions and problems in transferring money and transporting goods, have caused difficulties in the supply process.

According to him, the supply of around one million doses for the health network is being pursued from sources including China and Russia, and these vaccines may be made available to eligible groups from late Shahrivar (late August/early September) and early Mehr (early September/early October). However, the time of vaccine availability in pharmacies is not clear.

In an interview with Ettela’at, a pharmacist estimated the probable price of this year’s vaccine at around 1.5 million tomans. The Food and Drug Organization has confirmed an increase in the price of new shipments, but has not announced the official consumer price.

Ettela’at also reported that domestic production of the flu vaccine has been halted this year, and no further details about the reason for and duration of this stoppage have been published.