According to Turkish media reports, Turkey began final Phase III trials of an experimental Chinese coronavirus vaccine on 16 September 2020, Reuters news agency reported on Wednesday.

This vaccine will be administered to 1,200 to 1,300 health workers over 10 days and a second dose will be given 14 days after the first, broadcasters CNN Turk and Haberturk reported, with the results of the trial sent the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The broadcasters added that the vaccine candidate will later be administered to volunteers with chronic diseases, with the aim of vaccinating 13,000 people.

According to Reuters, Turkey's health ministry did not comment on the reports, however, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca is due to hold a news conference later on 16 September.

Koca had announced that Phase III work had started on the Chinese vaccine candidate, as well as another developed by Pfizer. Russia's application to conduct Phase III trials in Turkey for its experimental vaccine was being evaluated and a decision would likely be made this week, he had said.

China launched a vaccine emergency use programme in July 2020, offering three experimental shots developed by a unit of state pharmaceutical giant China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) and US-listed Sinovac Biotech. A fourth COVID-19 vaccine being developed by CanSino Biologics was approved for use by the Chinese military in June.

Broadcaster Haberturk added that the vaccine candidate on trial in Turkey was developed by Sinovac.