“As of today, we are moving to a new phase in the vaccination program. The vaccination turn came to people over the age of 55. I invite our citizens to get vaccinated. Our vaccination program will continue determinedly depending on the conditions of supply,” Koca tweeted.

Bugün itibariyle aşılama programında yeni bir safhaya geçiyoruz. Aşılamada sıra 55 yaşından büyüklere geldi. Sırası gelen vatandaşlarımızı aşı olmaya davet ediyorum. Aşı programımız tedarik koşullarına bağlı olarak kararlılıkla sürecek.

— Dr. Fahrettin Koca (@drfahrettinkoca) April 19, 2021

In November, Turkey's Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca announced the country had signed a contract to buy 50 million doses of CoronaVac for delivery in December, January, and February.

The first 3 million doses of CoronaVac arrived in Ankara's Esenboğa Airport in 17 containers on December 30.

The Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency approved Sinovac for emergency use on 13 January 2021 with the start of inoculation on the next day with health workers and high-risk personnel.

Turkey has so far administered more than 20 million coronavirus vaccine shots across the country, according to the Health Ministry.

More than 12.2 million people have until now received their first doses, while second doses have been given to over 7.79 million. (ILKHA)