ISTANBUL — The Turkish government is expected to begin mass distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine produced by China’s Sinovac Biotech this week as questions remain over its efficacy rate.
The rollout is expected to begin Thursday or Friday if testing by the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency delivers positive results today. An interim analysis last month by Turkish researchers found the Sinovac vaccine to be 91.25% effective while preliminary tests in Indonesia showed a 65% efficacy rate, leading officials there to grant the vaccine emergency approval Monday.