Dr. Ali Es’haghi, director general of Razi Institute, said on Saturday that there is a shortage of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) in the world, with countries such as Venezuela facing further restrictions due to international sanctions.
He added that following an official request from the Venezuelan government and a visit by a high-ranking delegation of the country to Razi Institute, a formal agreement to supply the oral polio vaccine has been reached.
"Based on this agreement, Razi Institute utilized its technical capabilities and production capacities and took action to produce, prepare and transfer a shipment of oral polio vaccine to this Latin American country,” Es’haghi explained.
He described the shipment as a step toward developing international cooperation and broadening the institute’s export markets.
He emphasized that the institute maintained strict adherence to technical standards and international shipping protocols throughout the process.
The vaccine was transported under carefully controlled conditions, with all procedures in place to preserve the cold chain at -20°C, ensuring efficacy during shipment, the official noted.
He said the shipment was sent directly from Tehran to Caracas, adding that this initiative underscores Iran’s commitment to global health.
Es’haghi noted that the delivery of the vaccine was not only a response to the need of a friendly country in a critical health situation but also opened a new chapter in Razi Institute's exports to South America.
He described the export of this important product to Venezuela as “another step in the path of health diplomacy and the expansion of scientific and technological interactions with friendly countries.”
It would also promote the position of the institute as one of the reputable vaccine production centers in the region and the world, he said.
The Iranian official further expressed hope that the move will pave the way for a more effective presence of the institute’s products across Latin America, Eurasia, Africa, and the neighboring countries.
Press TV