Poland orders modified COVID-19 vaccine for new variant
Poland’s Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna announced that the Ministry of Health has placed an order for a modified COVID-19 vaccine tailored to a new variant of the virus.
Illustrative photo.shutterstock/Alexxndr
Three weeks ago, American vaccine developer Novavax applied for the registration of its modified COVID-19 vaccine based on the JN1 variant, according to the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS). If approved by mid-August, the vaccine is expected to be available in warehouses by late September.
„We are currently in the procurement process and have this vaccine ordered,” said Leszczyna during a press conference. She expressed concerns that the vaccine might only be available by the end of September or early October. However, she reassured that they do not anticipate a surge in cases that would pose significant danger.
GIS has reported a tenfold increase in COVID-19 cases over the past month, as stated by Chief Sanitary Inspector Paweł Grzesiowski on Friday. The dominant strain is the Omicron variant, with emerging subvariants such as Kraken, Pirola, JN1, and KP.
Grzesiowski highlighted the challenges in obtaining the new vaccine before October. „This is problematic because these vaccines are currently unavailable. Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark are also facing similar shortages. The world is struggling to keep up with the production of new vaccines in line with the virus’s mutations,” the official told PAP.
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Source: IAR, PAP
