The Minister of Health Dr. Fahrettin Koca attended the International Vaccine Symposium organized by Hacettepe University via videoconference and delivered an opening speech.
Koca began his words by underlining the importance of preventive medicine and added, "Under the Expanded Program on Immunization, we are implementing one of the most expansive immunization programs using 13 antigens. We have been able to achieve 98% performance despite the pandemic. During the pandemic, patient and contact tracing have shown once again the importance of a strong primary healthcare system."
Noting that wearing a mask, keeping a distance and hygiene were still the most important weapons against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister continued, "We insist on the implementation of these measures. Because there is still no other known method to protect us from this pandemic. We hope that in the upcoming days, we can also add vaccine as another strong measure. We believe that vaccines will help us get rid of this disease, or at least contain it."
Noting that Turkey had been showing extensive effort to provide safe and effective vaccines regardless of its economic burden, Koca continued, "I have shared with the public that we have signed a contract for the supply of an inactive virus vaccine. I hope it will be delivered in the next few days.
Scientists and the Ministry are keeping themselves distant from baseless discussions and focus on the vaccine's safety and efficacy, not its origin. Our next steps will be determined by the short and long term safety and efficacy of the vaccines.
Like most developed countries, Turkey also has mobilized all of its resources for vaccine development. Currently, 16 vaccine development efforts are underway. Among these, there are inactive, mRNA, vector and virus-like particle vaccines.
3 vaccines are in the clinical phase while the vaccine developed by Kayseri Erciyes University is about to finalize its phase 1 trials. Other candidate vaccines are in the production phase in facilities using GMP. If trials give positive results, we hope to be able to move on to phase 3 and widespread application of the first vaccine in April.
Until our own vaccine development efforts are complete, we are and will do our best to provide vaccine to our people as soon as possible. We are in talks for both inactive vaccines and mRNA vaccines.
We believe in the power of vaccines and trust the results of scientific research. We also believe that we will be free of this disease thanks to vaccines. We know that with the right method and effort, people live longer, each baby is born much healthier, and each emerging disease can be dealt with."
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