Iran approves first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine

Iran has approved its first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine, The Associated Press reported on Monday.

Iranian health minister Saeed Namaki said on state TV, according to the AP report, that permission to use the COVIran Bareket vaccine was obtained on Sunday. 

The COVIran Bareket is made by pharmaceutical company Shifafarmed. It was created based on a deactivated virus, according to the AP, and the first study of its safety and effectiveness was conducted in December. 

Iran has been struggling to get access to vaccines, and has blamed U.S. sanctions on the country. It has had some access to vaccines through the international COVAX program designed to help poorer countries get their peoples vaccinated.

Namaki said the country is working on another vaccine that would be jointly produced with Cuba.