Can Foreigners be Vaccinated for Covid-19 in Turkey?

The global Covid-19 pandemic, which has been affecting the whole world for the last 1.5 years, has started to be taken under control in some geographies with vaccines and treatments developed by different companies in the last six months. In Turkey, the speed of the pandemic is kept below a certain level with the summer period thanks to both rapid vaccination studies and full lockdown measures. With the inclusion of foreigners residing or working in Turkey in the vaccination program during the epidemic period, like Turkish citizens, can get their vaccinations free of charge in health institutions. In this article, we will briefly talk about the vaccine program being implemented in Turkey and how foreigners can make an appointment for the Covid-19 vaccine.

Which Foreigners can be Vaccinated in Turkey?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread vaccination programs, it is tried to keep the number of cases under control. The presence of unvaccinated individuals in the community poses a serious risk in terms of protection of public health and community immunity. Therefore, it is important to ensure that people who request vaccines have access to the vaccine. For this reason, according to the regulations dated 21.12.2021 government took a decision that foreign nationals who do not reside in Turkey and do not have a residence permit will be able to get Covid-19 vaccine. There is no cost for the vaccine. However, vaccination providers will charge an administration fee for giving the shot. It can be done in any health institutions which are licensed by the Ministry of Health, under the supervision of the people authorized by the provincial administrators of Provincial Health Management System working in the Provincial Health Directorates.

Some criteria are followed for foreigners during vaccination strategy for foreigners like Turkish citizens. First of all, you should know that in order to be included in a vaccination program in Turkey, you must be a resident of the country. Foreigners with a valid work / residence permit and foreigner identification number can get vaccination appointments from the nearest health institutions through the MHRS appointment system. You can make a vaccination appointment through the MHRS system by using the link here or by calling 182. According to the vaccination strategy program carried out in Turkey, first of all, health workers, those living in places such as the elderly, disabled and protection homes and employees were vaccinated. After that, those over the age of 65 and those working in some government institutions were vaccinated one by one. As of March 2021, with the inclusion of foreigners residing in Turkey in the vaccination program, foreigners have also started to be vaccinated officially. In the next few months, it is expected that all foreigners who are over the age of 18 and residing in Turkey will be vaccinated.

Current Situation of Vaccination in Turkey and Applied Vaccines

Firstly, the vaccination started to be applied with the Chinese origin Sinovac brand vaccines in Turkey. After that, with the agreements with Biontech and Sputnik brands, more than 100 million doses of vaccines were ordered. Unless there is a change in the current strategy, it is planned to vaccinate Turkish citizens over the age of 18 and foreigners to a large extent by the end of September. An important part of the foreigners residing in Turkey, whose turn to be vaccinated, have already received their first and second dose vaccines. Currently, just like Turkish citizens, Covid-19 vaccinations and treatment processes are provided completely free of charge in Turkey. When it’s your turn, you can make your vaccination appointment with your foreigner identity number via both MHRS and E-Nabız and get your vaccination free of charge. Let us also remind you that you can choose from the available vaccines.

If you have any questions about the Covid-19 vaccines of foreigners in Turkey, you can contact us via comments section below.