Statement about restrictions from Minister Koca after Science Board meeting
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca made statements after the Coronavirus Science Board meeting. He said, “We are not in a situation that we will be forced to restrict at the moment. But that doesn’t mean this won’t happen.” He also shared following information; “about 87 percent of our currently active cases are people who have not completed their vaccination.”
He went on to say following: “None of us want to go back to the days of restrictions, at all. We are not in a situation that obliges us to do so at the moment. But that doesn’t mean we won’t. Any imprudence that we do without immunity will bring us closer to this limit that we do not want. The only way to get rid of this vicious cycle is to follow the precautions until you get immunity with the vaccine.”
Koca also made a note about following:
“Unfortunately, there is a danger of increasing losses. Vaccines are most important to our citizens at risk. But without widespread vaccination, we cannot protect them only by vaccinating the risk group. In order to protect our loved ones and elders, we must first have our own vaccines. We’re not in a position to risk our loved ones thinking nothing will happen to me.
The duration and effectiveness of vaccines are extremely important in terms of epidemic management. We are a country that can digitally manage the entire health infrastructure. We have a digital infrastructure that can manage all treatments and measures.
We have Decision Support Systems where we keep all data instantly to keep control. Our preliminary reviews here point to some results.”
THE PROPORTION OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED VACCINATION IN ACTIVE CASES IS KNOWN
“For example, about 87% of our currently active cases are people who have not completed the vaccine. In current active cases, the proportion of those who are fully vaccinated and suffer from the disease is less than 5%. On the other hand, 95% of our hospitalized patients are also people who have not completed the vaccine process.
Another important preliminary assessment is about the duration of action of vaccines. Along with our vaccine program, the proportion of our citizens over the age of 60 in active cases has decreased dramatically. But after 4-5 months after vaccination, the rate of this age group in active cases have begun to increase.
As soon as we saw this we made a warning for 3rd dose and started a program that allows our citizens over the age of 50 to have the 3rd dose.
No one noticed and implemented it sooner than we did. But already close to 9 million of our citizens, who need to be vaccinated in this case, are waiting to be vaccinated. To protect these citizens I invite them to have the 3rd dose as soon as possible”
WE WILL NOT REFRAIN IF SPECIAL MEASURES ARE REQUIRED
“Dear citizens, it is widely stated that mandatory practices should be introduced taking into account the course of the epidemic. Some countries are even making or preparing laws on this issue. Our approach to this issue is that the steps to be taken will be incomplete without looking at the results to be obtained from scientific data.
Our first priority is that all our citizens take their own precautions by taking responsibility and as a responsible individual and fulfill their duty to society regarding the vaccine.
If the scientific and evidence-based results of our studies require special measures, we will not hesitate to do so. However, we will not take a step because everyone is doing it or everyone wants it. A social life full of restrictions is not the choice or priority for any of us.
As a result of our evaluations, if there is a situation where precautions need to be taken, I will share it with you.”
