Unvaccinated mother dies of COVID-19 in Turkey

By Canan Tukelay

AFYONKARAHISAR, Turkey (AA) – A young Turkish mother died of COVID-19 after choosing not to get a vaccine.

Sultan Fidan, 25, who was a nurse by profession in western province of Afyonkarahisar, thought that the vaccine could harm her baby during pregnancy and postpartum.

Her husband, Abdulkadir, said she was in the hospital for a period of five days and then was referred to the intensive care unit as her condition significantly worsened. She died four days later.

Abdulkadir said they were not anti-vaxxers but had concerns about getting vaccinated during pregnancy and its effects on the baby.

“I wish we had had gotten the vaccine when it was first introduced. I urge everyone to have their shots. My whole world is upside down… I learned this the hard way,” he said.

Hasan Aydin, Sultan's father, said his daughter did not get her shot as she feared something bad could happen to her baby who was born seven months ago.

“While receiving treatment at the hospital, she collapsed… and was later dispatched to a private hospital in (neighboring province of) Isparta. The virus infected her lungs…,” he said.

“I call upon everyone to get their shots. Losing a daughter is very difficult,” he added.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas