ANKARA

Turkey has administered over 117 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since it launched an immunization drive in January, according to official figures released on Thursday.

More than 55.5 million people have been given a first vaccine dose, while over 49 million are fully vaccinated, the Health Ministry said.

Turkey has also given third booster shots to over 11.2 million people.

Meanwhile, the ministry recorded 29,482 new coronavirus cases, 228 related deaths, and 34,743 recoveries over the past day.

As many as 362,832 new virus tests were done in the last 24 hours.

Following a virtual meeting of the Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board on Wednesday, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said "a booster shot will be given to those who have received mRNA vaccine, based on risk groups" are set to be given as of today.

Health workers, patients with chronic illnesses aged between 18-60, and people over 60 years old will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot six months after their second mRNA vaccine dose, Koca added.

Since December 2019, the pandemic has claimed more than 5 million lives in at least 192 countries and regions, with over 248.3 million cases reported worldwide, according to the US-based Johns Hopkins University.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Turkey also continues its efforts to finalize tests of its locally developed Turcovac vaccine, which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to share worldwide once it is ready.