Health Minister Dr. Fahrettin Koca held an online meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Turkovac vaccine production facility in Şanlıurfa. Minister Koca gave the good news that TURKOVAC, the Turkish COVID-19 vaccine, had received emergency use authorization.
Speaking at the ceremony of the start of mass production of TURKOVAC, which received emergency use authorization, President Erdogan congratulated those involved in the development and production of the vaccine.
Emphasizing that it is important that the vaccine, which is the most effective measure against the Covid-19 pandemic that has ravaged the world for two years, could be produced in Turkey, Erdoğan said, “Moreover, it is very important that this vaccine is a product developed entirely by Turkish scientists and researchers. The TURKOVAC vaccine, which is ready for production and use after receiving the necessary approvals after intense effort and preparation, is a symbol of our efforts to protect our nation against the pandemic in the most effective way."
President Erdoğan stated that they could offer the citizens TURKOVAC as a third alternative, after Sinovac and BioNTech vaccines, and continued as follows:
“I know that some people are waiting for the Turkish vaccine against all risk. I invite all of them to make an appointment to get the TURKOVAC vaccine. During the pandemic, we shared medical supplies, especially masks, with 160 countries and 12 international organizations around the world. We will be pleased to share the TURKOVAC vaccine with all of humanity.”
Minister Koca, who expressed his satisfaction with giving the good news at the ceremony of commencing the mass production of TURKOVAC, continued his words as follows:“We have kicked off production as of today. Mr. President, today we are in one of our production facilities in Şanlıurfa. After 50 years, we have developed a vaccine that was 100 percent developed by Turkish scientists. At the same time, after 24 years, a domestic vaccine is produced. This makes Turkey one of the nine countries producing its own COVID-19 vaccine. We are currently in the filling facility. Mr. President, as you pointed out, the authorization and production of Turkovac for emergency use began before the end of the year. This is the success of our whole nation under your leadership.”
Stating that it was an important turning point for TURKOVAC, Koca answered President Erdoğan's question on when would the administration start and said: "The analyses are ongoing. Widespread administration will begin next week. Starting from the end of last week, we will start administration at city hospitals."
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