Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca, in his statement after the Scientific Committee meeting, announced that the calendar applied for the reminder dose of COVID-19 vaccines was updated. The 6-month period for the reminder dose was changed to 3 months according to the new decision. Accordingly, the reminder dose has started to be applied for people who have passed the vaccination schedule for more than 3 months.
Stating that the Omicron variant was discussed at the meeting, the minister announced the new measures taken on his Twitter account. The decisions taken are as follows:
1. Our Scientific Committee evaluated the possible effects of the Omicron variant in our country. The new variant caused the virus to become more easily transmitted. In addition to its easy transmission, no negative situation has been reported in terms of its ability to make sick. In this respect, there is no unsettling situation for the omicron variant.
2. Among the measures that can be taken against the dominance of the Omicron variant, the most prominent is the strengthening of the protection shield with the vaccine. Emerging evidence regarding the efficacy of vaccines against variants has been evaluated. The absence of a sudden increase in the number of daily cases in our country is an indicator of the success of the vaccination program.
We have the advantage of being one of the countries that start to apply reminder doses early. The effect of reminder doses is extremely important in order to increase the effectiveness of vaccines against new variants.
It has been decided to apply the reminder dose for our citizens who have passed the vaccination schedule for more than 3 months, so that the daily increase in the number of cases in Europe is not seen in our country.
3. All our citizens, whether previously vaccinated with an inactivated or mRNA vaccine, will be able to receive a reminder dose with the type of vaccine they wish, if more than 3 months have passed since the specified vaccination schedule.
4. Due to the Omicron variant, gene sequencing studies are continuing in our Reference laboratories. Due to the rapid contamination of the sample and variant experienced in Europe, it may be possible for the variant to become dominant in our country in the near future.
In order to be prepared for this situation, it is recommended by our Scientific Committee to make reminder dose vaccinations.
5. Although the threat has mutated, our measures remain valid. Precautions against the virus should not be neglected. It is possible to maintain individual life and social life together with precautions. We have achieved this so far, and we will do so in the future.
Omicron Precaution: Our citizens who have passed the determined vaccination schedule for more than three months can take the reminder dose. Bastard. twitter. com/bYfSJKPZSQ
— Dr. Fahrettin Koca (@drfahrettinkoca) December 15, 2021
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