Turkish Health Ministry said that the samples of the CoronaVac vaccine brought to Turkey’s capital last week are still undergoing testing in Health Ministry labs for emergency use approval.
The samples of the COVID-19 vaccine, developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech, delivered to Turkey on Dec. 30, 2020, are being tested in accordance with the routine quality control processes applied all over the world, the ministry said in a statement. Analyses are underway to check the expected quality, effectiveness and reliability of the vaccine when it is stored and applied under conditions defined by the company throughout its shelf life, the statement added.
If it passes at least 14-day-long tests, the vaccine will be put into use following an “Emergency Use Approval” by Turkey Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Institution (TITCK), according to the ministry. The institution’s labs, known as the National Control Laboratories, are recognized and accredited by international equivalent institutions and organizations. All vaccines listed in the ministry’s vaccination program, along with medical biological products, medicines, enteral nutrition products, medical foods, medical devices, biocidal products and cosmetics are tested in these labs.
