Fahrettin Koca responds to vaccine criticism: 'It is out of the question'

Responding to journalists' questions after the Cabinet Meeting held at the Presidential Complex yesterday, Minister of Health Koca addressed the 'anti-vaccination' allegations, stating that his previous remarks had been distorted.

Koca said, “The issue of anti-vaccination is the last thing that could be attributed to us. During this process, Turkey has achieved an immunization rate of over 95 percent in childhood vaccines included in the immunization program. We conduct all processes related to our Ministry together with scientific committees. Therefore, it is out of the question for us to be against science, reason, or logic. There is no logical side to anti-vaccination. It is never possible for us to be against vaccines. Some have commented that my statements were directed at physicians and scientists. They accused me of targeting them.

It is absolutely impossible to draw such a conclusion from my statement. These statements were made to ensure that no stain comes to the white coats of our physicians and to protect them. All our citizens should act with extreme sensitivity regarding the childhood vaccination program and ensure that childhood vaccines are administered. They should carefully ensure that the vaccinations of our children who have missing doses in the vaccination program are completed” he said.

''IT MAY TURN INTO A SEASONAL FLU VACCINE''

Furthermore, stating that everyone for whom the vaccine is defined should get their seasonal flu shots, Koca said, ''When Covid-19 becomes seasonal, it may turn into a seasonal flu vaccine by perhaps being added to the seasonal strains in the flu vaccine. It may become seasonal in the coming period. Therefore, we have no concerns in this regard. I insistently bring up my sensitivity regarding vaccination through childhood vaccines and flu vaccines. Can these statements coincide with anti-vaccination?'' he said.