The vaccines ordered through a domestic tender will not be ready until October, she added.
Speaking on private broadcaster Polsat News, Leszczyna criticized the previous government for withdrawing from the EU's central vaccine procurement program, a move also taken by Romania and Hungary. She explained that other EU nations already have access to vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), thanks to the centralized purchase mechanism, while Poland had to organize its own tender.
"The only company that has an EMA-approved vaccine did not participate in our tender," the minister said. This vaccine is adapted to the latest variant of the virus.
Leszczyna noted that while vaccines ordered under the tender will likely arrive in October, she is actively negotiating with Latvia’s health minister to purchase vaccines from their stock, ensuring availability in Poland by September. The minister emphasized that the vaccines would be prioritized for seniors and those with weakened immune systems.
"COVID-19 is now a typical seasonal disease, like the flu, which most people handle relatively well," Leszczyna said, adding that vaccinations remain essential, particularly for vulnerable groups.
As of August 31, COVID-19 vaccinations are temporarily unavailable in primary health care clinics and pharmacies, as the current stock of vaccines has expired.
Poland's health authorities expect a peak in COVID-19 cases in October.
(jh)
Source: PAP