Deputy Health Minister Maciej Miłkowski told the state PAP news agency that, after a spike in demand in 2020, this year the government had secured an additional volume of over-the-counter flu jabs from pharmaceutical companies.
Overall, Poland has bought around 5 million doses, including more than 2 million over-the-counter ones, which are set to be delivered to pharmacies between September and December.
Miłkowski urged the public to get vaccinated as soon as possible, as the shot takes two to three weeks to start working, while flu infections usually peak between January and March.
Most of the remaining doses will be provided from the beginning of October, free of charge, to entitled groups, including teachers, seniors, healthcare workers and care home residents, Miłkowski said.
Meanwhile, the government will keep a proportion of the jabs as a strategic reserve, according to the health ministry.
To be allowed in Poland, flu vaccines must receive the appropriate licence and comply with the standards of the World Health Organisation.
Currently, five different flu jabs can be administered in the country, including those produced by Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca, the PAP news agency reported.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP