Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday called on the health institutions of the country to step up efforts to produce novel coronavirus vaccine.
Rouhani said that he has ordered the health ministry and the vice presidency for science and technology to focus efforts on the development of a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, according to Tasnim news agency.
Likewise, domestic knowledge-based companies and research centers at medical sciences universities should be supported to synthesize coronavirus medicines, develop test methods to diagnose the disease, and produce a vaccine for COVID-19.
"Considering the scientific capabilities of our country's experts, attaining the goal would not be out of reach," he was quoted as saying. Iranian officials announced 70,029 confirmed cases of the disease as of Saturday, of whom 4,357 have died.