Chinese authorities has approved delivery to Turkey of COVID-19 vaccines set to be sent this coming Sunday, according to Turkey's health minister.
Speaking after Thursday's meeting of the country's Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Committee, Fahrettin Koca said the Chinese vaccine boasts an effectiveness of 91.25%.
"With the evaluations of the Scientific Committee, we are sure of the effect of the vaccine on Turkish people using it in our country.
"We are now confident that the vaccine is effective and safe for Turkish people," he added.
Nearly 9 million people in Turkey are set to get vaccinated in the first stage, and coronavirus vaccinations could be given to some 1.5 million or even 2 million people daily, he said.
He also said that starting with healthcare professionals, people in the top three priority groups will be vaccinated in January, February, and March, or in April at the latest.
"Together with healthcare professionals, I will be one of the first people to get the vaccine," Koca added.
Over 18,000 new COVID-19 cases
Turkey on Thursday reported 18,102 more coronavirus infections and 254 new fatalities over the past 24 hours, according to Health Ministry data.
The new cases include 3,218 symptomatic patients, and the total number of infections exceeded 2.1 million.
As many as 33,985 people also recovered in the past day, bringing the tally to 1.93 million, while the death toll climbed to 19,115.
An additional 195,675 COVID-19 tests were done across the country, pushing the total to over 23.22 million.
The number of patients in critical condition stands at 4,805.
The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed more than 1.73 million lives in 191 countries and regions since last December.
Over 78.9 million cases have been reported worldwide, with more than 44.49 million recoveries, according to figures compiled by the US' Johns Hopkins University.
The US, India, and Brazil remain the worst-hit countries in terms of the number of cases.
While new restrictions are being imposed ahead of the holiday season, especially across Europe, countries are approving and procuring vaccines to pave the way for the hopeful end of the pandemic.
