Turkish Cypriot President 1St In Country To Get Jab

Setting an example for the public, the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Friday was the first person in the country to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The first Sinovac vaccine was given to Ersin Tatar at the Nicosia Emergency Hospital in the capital Lefkosa, followed by Prime Minister Ersan Saner and Health Minister Ali Pilli.

Speaking to reporters, Tatar thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, his government, and Health Minister Fahrettin Koca for all their contributions by sending 20,000 doses of vaccine to the Turkish Cyprus.

"While Turkey started to vaccine its own people, it did not forget us, and sent 20,000 vaccines" to the TRNC, Tatar said.

Underlining that they have a great opportunity to vaccinate the Turkish Cypriot people so everyone can return to normal life, Tatar said that many countries are struggling to find vaccines.

"I call on all our people to get vaccinated as soon as possible under the Health Ministry vaccine planning," Tatar said, adding that if all people are vaccinated, they can end the pandemic.

After everyone is vaccinated, he said tourism, education, and other economic activities can return to their old dynamism.

He also stressed that the vaccine has been tested and there is no need for hesitation.

On Wednesday, Turkey sent 20,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to the TRNC. Three million doses of the vaccine produced by Beijing-based company Sinovac reached Turkey on Dec. 30.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar -