Changes to vaccine programme. Longer wait for second doses

"We would like to present a few changes that we're introducing. They are fully in line with the guidelines issued by the Medical Council" - Mr Dworczyk said at a press conference.

"We plan to extend the period between the first and the second dose of the vaccine. It is, of course, in line with the producers' recommendations. Recent research shows that such measures can be taken without hampering the effectiveness of vaccines, and it will allow us to speed up the vaccination process" - he explained.

He added that, starting next week, second doses of AstraZeneca vaccine will be applied 12 weeks after the first, whereas Pfizer's - 42 days after the first. "It's the maximum time slot allowed by the producers" - said Mr Dworczyk.

He also said that people who have recovered from COVID-19 would be vaccinated with only one dose, six months after contracting the virus, which in line with the latest recommendations by the Medical Council.

Michał Dworczyk also spoke about Russian and Chinese COVID-19 vaccines. "We do not plan to buy such a vaccine, but when it comes to the Chinese vaccine, we are analysing this issue ... no decisions have been made on this matter"

With delays in deliveries hampering vaccination programmes across the EU, Sputnik V has already been approved or is being assessed for approval in three states in the bloc's eastern wing - Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

The European Union's drugs regulator has begun reviewing the Russian shot for possible approval.

Polish President Andrzej Duda has talked with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping about buying the Chinese COVID-19 shot, his aide told state-run news agency PAP on Monday. However, Health Minister Adam Niedzielski said on Wednesday he did not currently recommend the jab due to a lack of data.

The European Commission said on Thursday that there were no talks under way about buying Sputnik V.