Government shortens gaps between COVID vaccine doses

Poland will shorten the gap between doses for Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca COVID-19 jabs, the minister responsible for Poland's vaccination programme Michał Dworczyk said on Monday.

The gap between doses for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be shortened to 35 days from 42 days, Dworczyk told a news conference. The gap for AstraZeneca will be shortened from 84 days to 35 days.

Dworczyk added that the change will be effective starting May 17. "We need take into account vaccine deliveries, as we must ensure a second dose for each patient. That's why this change comes into effect next week" - he said.

He specified that the gap shortening will pertain to people who would register for vaccination starting May 17. "If a patients prefers to receive the second dose some time later, it will simply be matter of scheduling a proper date" - he explained and added that all dates are within the timeline suggested by the vaccine producers.

Dworczyk also informed that people who have recovered from COVID-19 would be vaccinated after 30 days from their last positive test result. He reminded that previously it were 90 days.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Facebook on Saturday that over 10 million doses of vaccine have been administered in Poland so far. More than 3,5 million people received two doses or were inoculated with one-shot J&J vaccine.