Turkey prepares to distribute Chinese vaccine

With the Turkish government expected to begin mass distribution of the Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccine Sinovac this week, health experts are questioning its effectiveness and the state’s rollout strategy.
A health worker administers a dose of Sinovac Biotech potential vaccine against the COVID-19 to Doctor Cem Gun (L) during the 3rd phase trials at the Acibadem Hospital in Istanbul, on October 9, 2020.Y (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP) (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images)
A health worker administers a dose of the Sinovac Biotech vaccine against COVID-19 to Dr. Cem Gun (L) during the 3rd phase trials at the Acibadem Hospital in Istanbul, on Oct. 9, 2020. - YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images
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Diego Cupolo
@diegocupolo

ISTANBUL ­— The Turkish government is expected to begin mass distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine produced by China’s Sinovac Biotech this week as questions remain over its efficacy rate.

The rollout is expected to begin Thursday or Friday if testing by the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency delivers positive results today. An interim analysis last month by Turkish researchers found the Sinovac vaccine to be 91.25% effective while preliminary tests in Indonesia showed a 65% efficacy rate, leading officials there to grant the vaccine emergency approval Monday.

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