New schedule and changes to national vaccination programme

At a press conference held on Tuesday at the National Stadium, which currently serves as a temporary COVID hospital, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, his aide Michał Dworczyk, and Health Minister Adam Niedzielski announced new schedule and changes to the national vaccination programme.

"Right before the end of the first quarter, we've vaccinated 6 million people" - the prime minister said. "We want to vaccinate all those who want to by the end of August". He also added that the new schedule assumed vaccinating 20 million people by the end of the second quarter of 2021.

PM Morawiecki's aide Michał Dworczyk said the vaccination programme was gaining speed in order to be able to inoculate 10 million people per month. "We've decided to skip the second and third stage of the programme in order to begin vaccinating the general public".

Mr Dworczyk also said new vaccination points would be open in the second quarter. Among other places, it will be possible to receive a shot in temporary hospitals, drive-thru stations, workplaces, pharmacies and primary health stations.

"If employers having over 500 employees organise vaccination teams, they will be allowed to inoculate people at the workplace" - he added.

PM's aide also said registration for people born in 1962 would be open starting April 12. On each of the following days, the registration would be opened for people born in the subsequent years.

"Most likely in May we will open the registration to all people" - he added.

Health Minister Adam Niedzielski said the pandemic situation was very difficult and all health care personnel were involved in attempts to contain it. "We must use all available resources for the vaccination programme to run uninterrupted."

"I wish we could all start to see this glimmer of hope, the vaccinations, right after Easter.