‘1.1 million health workers vaccinated in Turkey’

* Photo: Ministry of Health / AA

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Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca addressed a World Health Organization (WHO) media briefing via video link yesterday (April 1).

Turkey is expected to roll out its first locally produced novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine by the end of summer, announced Health Minister Koca, saying, "I believe that our first vaccine will be ready and successful by August, September, by the summer term."

Koca stated that there are 18 vaccine candidates of Turkey on the WHO list, adding, "Turkey's domestic vaccine production work continues rapidly. We believe we will produce our own vaccine in a short time."

Koca also underlined the importance of enabling vaccine production globally without making intellectual property rights an issue: 

"Though we are not among the countries that produce vaccines at the moment, I would like to add that we share some of the vaccines that we received with different countries to be used for health workers."

He said that Turkey assumed "the role of a facilitator" by establishing "diplomatic bridges" between the vaccine manufacturing countries and the ones experiencing problems with access to the COVID-19 jabs: "I can gladly say that we have started to get results from these initiatives."

Vaccination of healthcare workers

Giving information about the vaccination of healthcare workers in Turkey since mid-January, Koca said, "We have completed vaccinating nearly 1.1 million health workers in Turkey in only 45 days."

He also underlined that Turkey, along with the WHO, is preparing to establish a digital platform for healthcare professionals.

"The heroes of this period, when people are massively in fear and seeking safety, are healthcare professionals," he added.

Referring to the healthcare professionals around the world, Koca said, "You are the people to whom all humanity is grateful at the same time for the same reason. Humanity will find the best way to express this feeling. I pay my respect to you all." (EKN/SD)