'Kyrgyzstan to hold Phase 3 trials of Turkey's COVID-19 jab'

By Abdullah Yasin Guler

ANKARA (AA) – Trials of Turkey’s domestic COVID-19 vaccine will also be conducted in Kyrgyzstan, the Turkish vice president announced on Sunday.

Fuat Oktay, who returned from a visit to Kyrgyzstan this week, said Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has given his nod for Phase 3 trials of the TURKOVAC jab in the Central Asian country.

“We are continuously striving to offer our domestic vaccine for the benefit of all humanity, not just our own nation,” Oktay told Anadolu Agency, adding that he had extensive discussions with Japarov on the matter.

“Negotiations are also ongoing with many countries, particularly Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Argentina, Colombia and Poland, for Phase 3 trials of our vaccine.”

The inactive vaccine, jointly developed by the Turkish Health Ministry, Health Institutes of Turkey, and the Erciyes University, has successfully gone through Phase 1 and 2 trials in Turkey.

Oktay said Turkey has been taking important steps to ensure the domestic jab gets international accreditation and can eventually be used all over the world.

TURKOVAC is getting closer to a stage where authorities can apply for emergency use approval, according to the Turkish vice president.

In line with continuing efforts to prepare for mass production, Turkish authorities are working closely with private companies who can help boost capacity and provide technical and financial support, he added.​​​​​​​