‘Turkey to start vaccinating 60-65 age group next week’

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca released a written statement after the Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board meeting yesterday (March 17).

Koca has said that 4.5 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech's novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine will arrive in the country this month.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), speaking after a meeting of the Advisory Board, Koca has said the first 5,800 doses of the vaccine, which will be used in tests, have arrived in Turkey.

Koca has said, "4.5 million more doses will arrive this month to be administered. Meanwhile, tests of the vaccine will be completed." He has added that the vaccine will be administered to those whose turn it is.

As of next week, vaccination of those aged between 60-65 will be started, Fahrettin Koca has added further.

By anticipating possible problems with vaccine supply, Minister Koca has indicated that the country took concrete steps in overcoming issues with global vaccine access and developing a domestic vaccine.

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'There is an increase in most provinces'

Underlining that mutant variants of the virus have been observed in Turkey, Koca has said that mutant viruses can be transmitted easier.

Urging people not to underestimate the virus, he has highlighted the importance of strictly following measures against COVID-19.

"Unfortunately, there has been an increase in cases in most of our provinces in the last 15 days," he has said, adding the results have not started to be reflected in hospitals yet. Noting that COVID-19 will no longer be a mass problem within months, he has said, "Humanity has overcome the desperation of 2020. 2021 is the year of hope and victory."

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Mass vaccination since January

In January, Turkey began a mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign, and a gradual normalization from coronavirus restrictions began on March 1.​​​​​​​

More than 12.35 million doses of China's CoronaVac vaccine have been administered across Turkey so far, according to official figures.

The country has so far confirmed over 2.93 million cases, a total of 29,696 fatalities and over 2.75 million recoveries.

Since originating in Wuhan, China in December 2019, the pandemic has claimed over 2.67 million lives in 192 countries and regions.

Over 121 million cases have been reported worldwide, with recoveries now exceeding 68.6 million, according to figures compiled by US-based Johns Hopkins University. The US, Brazil and India remain the worst-hit countries in terms of the number of cases. (TP/SD)