TEHRAN -- Iran’s Astan Quds Razavi (AQR) and Defense Ministry will soon begin the mass production of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by a research center formerly headed by nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who was assassinated last year.
Malek Rahmati, the AQR’s deputy chief custodian, said Thursday that the production line for the Fakhra will open on June 22, coinciding with the birthday anniversary of Imam Reza (AS) — the eighth Shia Muslim Imam.
Astan Quds Razavi (AQR), based in the holy city of Mashhad, manages the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS).
Iran launched the second phase in the human trial of Fakhra on Wednesday, with officials in charge of the vaccine’s clinical trial saying 135 volunteers got jabs in the first phase and that the vaccine proved to be “safe and secure.”
In addition to Fakhra, Iran has developed three other vaccines against the COVID-19 disease named COVIran Barekat, Razi COV-Pars and the joint Iran-Cuba vaccine.
It has also imported foreign vaccines despite the illegal U.S. sanctions that have seriously hampered the country’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic.