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.