Iranian Health Minister Saeed Namaki said on Monday that health authorities have issued an emergency permit to use home-made vaccine "COV-Iran Barakat" for its citizens in the current vaccination campaign.

According to Mehr news agency, the minister also said that the necessary permit to use the vaccine, jointly produced by Iran and Cuba, will also be issued as early as next week.

The move comes amid reports of a shortage of vaccines in Iran as the vaccination of elderly aged above 60 is underway, the agency reports.