Turkey looks for ways to boost vaccination schedule

Turkey's vaccination response has been nothing short of incredible. 

As of this week, Turkey has given out 58 million doses of the covid vaccine in its campaign against coronavirus. More than 17 million people now have had both doses, but the country has a long way to go, especially with the threat of new variants in the air. 

However, experts warn there are stumbling blocks ahead: the new Delta variant is posing a serious threat, and summer holidays and the Eid al-Adha holiday will send people moving around the country, slowing the vaccination schedule and sending the virus between locations.

Currently, around 300,000 doses are given daily in Turkey. And while older people are queueing up for the jab, younger Turks are more reticent. Health department data shows that the lowest centres for vaccination are concentrated in Turkey's east and southeast.

Officials now believe that the number of infections will rise by the close of the month, and that the Delta variant could account for four-in-10 cases, thanks to the travel brought by the summer holiday and the Eid al-Adha celebrations.

The government has said that no new restrictions will be introduced during the summer months. However, mandatory masks, social distancing and track and trace measures are still in place. 

But authorities are concerned that case numbers could rise to as many as 7,000 a day, necessitating other measures before schools start back in September to bring the spread of coronavirus under control.