Officials mull ways to boost jab coverage in low vaccinated areas

Turkish officials are preparing to discuss new proposals to increase the jab rate as the country's eastern and southeastern regions are lagging in the vaccination campaign.

Data from the Health Ministry show that only 35 percent of the population aged above 18 have received the first shot of vaccine in the eastern province of Bitlis, while the corresponding rates are 36 percent in Şanlıurfa province and a little over 37 percent in Mardin province.

According to authorities, due to vaccine hesitancy among people, it is unclear how they will achieve 75 percent jab rates in these provinces, followed by neighboring Siirt, Diyarbakır, Muş, Batman and Bingöl.

A province-wide mobilization was launched to expand the vaccination program in Diyarbakır, the largest province in the region.

Dozens of non-governmental organizations operating throughout the province called out to the public to get vaccinated while health professionals continue their vaccination activities on the field.

In a bid to persuade people to receive their vaccine shots, authorities are looking forward to collaborating with famous names and opinion leaders who have an impact on the public.

Experts and officials came together in a meeting of the Coronavirus Science Board on July 14 to find ways to increase vaccination rates across the country.

Officials in the meeting suggested that people who are not vaccinated should be restricted from being a part of large-scale events such as meetings, weddings, concerts and congresses held in indoor environments, as well as sports events, theaters, cinemas and malls.

However, it is expected that the ministry will adopt the incentive process rather than an obligation to increase vaccination rates and give priority...