COVID-19 | ‘Turkey has not yet reached half of its vaccination target’

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA) - Archive

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Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Pandemic Working Group member and public health specialist Prof. Tayyar Şaşmaz has commented on the reopening that has been in effect in Turkey as of July 1.

Prof. Şaşmaz has underlined that the information about the COVID-19 pandemic shared by the Health Ministry is still insufficient.

A guest at the TTB Pandemic Working Group's weekly program of "What are we curious about during the pandemic", Şaşmaz has noted that the social and economic dynamics underlie the decisions of reopening and normalization amid high numbers of COVID-19 cases.

Warning against complacency

Prof. Şaşmaz has underlined that the pandemic is still ongoing, warning that any complacency in that regard will lead to a rise in the outbreak:

"The COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, both in the world and in our country. The pandemic has not yet been over, it is still going on. The number of cases is increasing and this could lead to the emergence of variants. We have to observe preventive measures without complacency."

Commenting on the ongoing vaccination efforts in Turkey as well, Prof. Tayyar Şaşmaz has indicated, "In order to increase the immunity of society, we need to vaccinate at least 60 million people with two doses. Therefore, we have not yet reached half of our target."

'Reopening poses risks'

Some of the points and recommendations highlighted by Prof. Şaşmaz regarding the latest situation amid the pandemic are as follows:

1. The pandemic has not yet been over; we are going through an ongoing process and we need to observe our preventive measures without any loosening.
2. Giving decisions of reopening amid a high number of cases poses risks.
3. The main factor behind the decisions of reopening is socioeconomic dynamics.
4. The prolongation of the outbreak process and a repeated increase in the course of infections lead to the emergence of variants.
5. In order to increase the immunity of society, at least 60 million people need to be vaccinated with both doses. We are well below this number.

27 percent received both doses

According to the data of the Health Ministry, as of 7 pm yesterday (July 11), the daily number of COVID-19 vaccines, either that of Sinovac or Pfizer/BioNTech, administered was 331,801 in Turkey.

While 37,698,483 people have been vaccinated with the first dose in Turkey so far, 17,152,942 have received the second dose and 2,887,404 people have been given the third dose. Taken together, the total number of vaccine doses administered so far is 57,738,829.

While 60.74 percent of Turkey's population over the age of 18 has been vaccinated with the first dose, this rate is 27.63 percent for the second dose. (KÖ/SD)