Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Ministry of Health and Environment said that vaccination aversion in Iraq decelerates herd immunity and extends the pandemic.

The Minister of Health and Environment, Hasan al-Tamimi, said in statements to media, "It is the second wave only. Iraq did suffer a third or fourth wave like other countries."

Al-Tamimi attributed the rising COVID-19 case counts to the poor compliance with the preventive measures and the resurgence of social gatherings, electoral assemblies, graduation ceremonies, weddings, and markets reopening.

" The Ministry red-flagged some areas in Baghdad like al-Sadr city, al-Sho'ula, al-Kadhimiyah, al-Horriya, al-Shaab, al-Shorja, and Jamila, among other cities. Other cities in Kurdistan Region, Basra, and rural areas are at high risk too."