Download
Turkey's vaccine program boosted by use of Sinovac's jab
Michal Bardavid in Istanbul
Europe;Turkey

Translating...

Content is automatically generated by Microsoft Azure Translator Text API. CGTN is not responsible for any of the translations.

Error loading player: No playable sources found
02:35

 

Turkey was among the first countries to purchase Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine, helping the government start its vaccination program in January. It has since used it alongside other jabs to administer more than 29 million doses to its citizens. 

The health ministry declared the China-made vaccine "significantly effective" before today's WHO announcement. 

"In the field, we have observed that in our patient portfolio, the rate of admission to the hospital for people over the age of 65, and especially those who have been vaccinated has decreased. And this corresponds with the official figures of the health ministry," Hakan Oguzturk, administrative chief at Ankara City Hospital told CGTN Europe.

In mid-April Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said COVID-19 infections among people over the age of 65 and health workers had drastically decreased.

Both groups were among the first in Turkey to receive Sinovac's jab.

Janet Bardavid is a Hebrew teacher at the Jewish high-school in Istanbul. She was vaccinated when people over the age of 65 received their shots.

"I got the Chinese vaccine, Sinovac. Three weeks after I took my second dose in March, my antibody level was measured and it was very high. Now, I feel so much more confident."

Turkey's education ministry has extended the school year until July 2 and the curriculum has been adjusted due to the pandemic.

"We are currently teaching classes online, however, schools can reopen any day and we might have to start face-to-face education again. As a teacher, of course, I was worried that we could be at risk, both myself and for my students," she said. 

Meanwhile the health minister announced that most of the new cases were due to COVID-19 variants, but doctors stressed China's vaccine also provides protection against those.

"We can say that people with an elevated antibody level have less risk of developing a recurrent disease with other variants of the coronavirus, especially mutations," Oguzturk, of Ankara City Hospital, said.

The Turkish government has begun vaccinating those over the age of 50 and has called on citizens to support the process by adhering to social distancing measures.

Source(s): Reuters
MORE FROM CGTN
{"type":2,"value":"The Agenda","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

The Agenda

14:58, 19-Jul-2025

Tourist coins pose giant problem at N. Ireland's famous causeway site
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Europe

14:57, 19-Jul-2025

Passion for hand fans sizzles in burning Spanish heat
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Europe

11:31, 19-Jul-2025

{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Europe

16:09, 18-Jul-2025

TOP NEWS
Xi, Mauritanian president exchange congratulations on 60 years of ties
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Politics

06:45, 19-Jul-2025

China unveils new measures to boost foreign reinvestment
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Economy

05:54, 19-Jul-2025

Israeli, Syrian leaders agree to ceasefire as clashes rock Sweida
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Middle East

22:49, 18-Jul-2025

Search Trends