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Making a brief statement on Twitter, Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca has announced that the people who recovered from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can be administered the second dose of the vaccine:
The vaccination certificate means immunization by being vaccinated for the people who have received the 2nd or 3rd dose of the vaccine; as for our citizens who had the disease and have received the first dose of the vaccine, it means immunization by being vaccinated and having the disease. Even when our citizens had the disease, they can have a vaccination certificate issued by receiving two doses of the vaccine.
Following this statement made by Health Minister Koca, the vaccination appointment system has been reportedly opened for the second vaccine doses of the people who recovered from COVID-19.
Uncertainty about the number of doses
Chaired by Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, the Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board of the Health Ministry convened on June 30.
Upon the recommendation of the Science Board, the practice of vaccinating the people who had COVID-19 6 months after having the disease was changed and it was announced that the related people could be vaccinated 3 months after recovering from the disease.
On July 4, the Health Ministry's Scientific Advisory Board decided that the people who had COVID-19 should be given a single dose of the BioNTech's vaccine. Moreover, the period that needs to pass to get vaccinated has been reduced from six months to three months.
Situation in the world
As reported by BBC Türkçe, in some countries, including France, Germany and Italy, it is recommended that the people who recovered from COVID-19 should be vaccinated with a single dose. As for the US and the UK, the ones who had the disease are still getting both doses.
The reason underlying the decisions to vaccinate the ones who had COVID-19 with a single dose is reportedly the intention to ensure more widespread vaccination. However, experts warn that it is not yet known how long a single dose will protect these people against the virus.
It is also underlined that different vaccines will offer different levels of protection against COVID-19. (TP/SD)
