Turkey rolls out mass COVID-19 vaccination

Turkey has begun administering nationwide vaccinations against COVID-19 starting with more than 1 million health care workers after authorities approved the emergency use of vaccine developed by China's Sinovac.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca and members of the Health Ministry's Science Board were the first ones to receive the shots of the injection live on TV on Jan. 13.

"I believe the days ahead of us will be bright. For us to return to our old lives, we absolutely need to get the injection," Koca said, urging the public to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory in Turkey.

The vaccine will be distributed fairly, and there will be no other practice other than the priority set by the Science Board, the minister said.

The Health Ministry has launched a website, which provides real-time information on the number of people vaccinated.

The vaccination drive will be carried out in four stages.

Firstly, the vaccine will be administered to health workers, including pharmacists, and those older than 65. In the second round, the vaccine will be administered to those older than 50 and people working in crucial sectors, such as the Defense Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the Justice Ministry, along with teachers, and those working in the food and logistics sectors.

In the third phase, people under 50 with chronic diseases as well as young adults will be vaccinated, and the final phase will cover the rest of the population.

People in each category are required to make an appointment to get the shot. Each individual will be as-signed vaccine doses by name with a barcode.

The vaccine will be administered in two doses, 28 days apart.

The injections have been delivered to public...