Number of Turkish patients fully vaccinated with Sinovac increasing in ICUs

Duvar English 

The number of patients who received two doses of the Sinovac vaccine is increasing in intensive care units, Prof. Nurettin Yiyit, who is a member of the Health Ministry's COVID-19 Science Committee, told Demirören News Agency. 

Yiyit said that the number started to increase with the emergence of the Delta variant, noting that the biggest reason for it is the patients' refusal to get the third shot. 

"They received two doses of Sinovac and their antibody levels started to decrease as time passed," he said, noting that the individuals in question are in the high-risk category. 

Turkey started administering Sinovac vaccines in January. The first group to receive the shots were those above the age of 65 and those with chronic diseases since they are considered to be in the COVID-19 high-risk category. The country started administering BioNTech in April. 

"These people think two doses of Sinovac still protect them and they act in a more relaxed manner. They're not aware that the effects of the vaccine have passed. Since they are also senior citizens and have chronic diseases, their number started to increase in intensive care units," Yiyit said, urging those who received two doses of the Chinese jab to receive a third dose. 

"The highest risk group consists of those who haven't received any vaccine. They're mostly young," he said, noting that those hospitalized are usually the ones who haven't abided by their vaccination schedule.