Iran: Results suggest primary COVID vaccine 90 percent effective

Iran says its first locally manufactured vaccine has exhibited better-than-expected results in preliminary testing.

Tehran, Iran – Iran has said its primary vaccine candidate against COVID-19 is 90 percent effective based on preliminary results. Mohamad Reza Salehi, who heads clinical trials for COVIran Barekat, told the government-funded Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) that immunogenicity tests on 35 of the volunteers who took part in the first phase of human trials of the vaccine showed better-than-expected results. “Preliminary results show that about 90 percent of the people who received two doses of the vaccine exhibit evidence of immunity,” he said, adding that more testing is needed for more accurate results.