Turkey will begin administering Russia's Sputnik V vaccine soon, the nation's health minister Fahrettin Koca said on Thursday.
The coronavirus infection rate has dropped nationwide, Koca said following the Coronavirus Scientific Committee meeting via video link.
Koca said it was agreed at the meeting that restrictions against the coronavirus could be tightened, if the number of cases did not decrease in the coming days.
He said some citizens postponed vaccination as they were fasting in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, but to cater to them post-iftar (fast-breaking meals) vaccination appointments were ensured.
He added that Turkey will start Phase 1 trials for its third vaccine candidate, Anadolu Agency reported.
Another Turkish vaccine candidate, the first to start human trials, will soon complete Phase 2 trials, the health minister said, adding that its final trial will begin in May.
A locally-made vaccine means "domestic power and trust," he said.
According to the official figures, Turkey has so far administered over 20.78 million coronavirus vaccine jabs across the country.
