While the imported influenza vaccine of Iran’s Food and Drug Organization has still not reached pharmacies in Iran, smuggled vaccines are being sold on the open market at a price of 10 to 12 million tomans.

According to Mehr News Agency, the spokesperson for the Iranian Pharmacists’ Association said that real individuals have imported this vaccine from one of the neighboring countries and that it is not being officially imported.

Hadi Ahmadi said that European companies’ lack of commitment has put the purchase of vaccines from China and Russia on the agenda. According to him, European manufacturing countries have prioritized meeting their own domestic needs, taking into account wartime conditions.

Based on announcements from the Food and Drug Organization, 700,000 doses of the Chinese vaccine have been imported in the first phase and are expected to be offered at a price of 2 million and 185 thousand tomans.

Pharmacists told the daily newspaper Shargh last week that there is no news about the distribution of the vaccine. The rate of positive samples for COVID-19 has also risen for the fifth consecutive week, reaching 17 percent.