TEHRAN, Nov. 16 (Mehr News Agency) -- Health Minister Marziyeh Vahid-Dastjerdi stated on Monday that Iran will import vaccine for the H1N1 virus from France in the near future.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with the former health ministers, she said health officials decided to import the vaccine from a reputable country and therefore France was selected.

Vahid-Dastjerdi noted that the vaccine will show its effects two weeks after the injection.

Iranian pilgrims to Mecca and Medina are most vulnerable to H1N1 virus.

However, the minister said "the injection of the vaccine to the pilgrims when they are in Saudi Arabia is ineffective."

But it is effective when the pilgrims return home, the minister added.

Asked whether the vaccines used in Saudi Arabia have been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), Vahid-Dastjerdi answered Iran can just approve those vaccines that are used in Iran.

She went on to say that the research duly done by the WHO has indicated that the H1N1 vaccine has little side effects and Iran will approve vaccines that are endorsed by the WHO.

... Payvand News - 11/17/09 ... --