Presidential Special Representative Emphasizes the Need to Integrate Iran’s Vaccine Ecosystem

Presidential Special Representative Emphasizes the Need to Integrate Iran’s Vaccine Ecosystem: Building on a Century of Experience to Transform the Vaccine Industry
Dr. Seyed Reza Bani Hashemi, the President’s Special Representative for the National Vaccine Ecosystem, has emphasized that integrating national capabilities, expanding cross-sector collaboration, and strengthening domestic capacity are essential to enhancing Iran’s position in the vaccine industry, building on nearly a century of experience in vaccine development and production.

Speaking on the television program Keshlik-e Salamat (Health Duty Shift), Dr. Bani Hashemi highlighted Iran’s long-standing history in vaccine production and stressed the importance of establishing an integrated and coordinated ecosystem for this strategically important industry. Such an approach, he noted, could facilitate more effective use of the country’s scientific, research, and manufacturing capabilities.

Addressing the challenges facing Iran’s vaccine industry, he identified collaboration with relevant ministries and government agencies, as well as reviewing their respective plans, as key areas of ongoing engagement. Issues related to imports and exports were also among the challenges discussed during the program.

Referring to the progress made by several countries in the region, the President’s Special Representative underscored the need to strengthen domestic capabilities and reassess the development pathway of Iran’s vaccine industry. Maintaining and advancing the country’s position in this field, he noted, requires the strategic utilization of existing capacities and stronger coordination among all stakeholders across the vaccine ecosystem.

Public Trust: A Key Prerequisite for Successful Immunization Programs

In another part of the program, Dr. Bani Hashemi addressed public confidence in influenza vaccination. Referring to the hesitancy expressed by some members of the public toward the influenza vaccine, he emphasized the importance of building and strengthening public trust.

Alongside the development of scientific and manufacturing capabilities, public trust remains a critical factor in advancing immunization programs and increasing vaccine acceptance across society.

The issues raised during the program once again highlighted the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to Iran’s vaccine industry—one that advances domestic production while fostering synergies among policymakers, research institutions, and manufacturers. By building on its historical experience and scientific capabilities, Iran can strengthen its position within the regional and international vaccine ecosystem.

Secretariat of the 1st International Congress of Vaccine and Vaccination (ICVV 2026)