- If I get such a proposal, I think I will accept it," said Health Minister Katarzyna Sójka, when asked on Radio ZET about whether she will head the health ministry in the new government being formed by Mateusz Morawiecki. As she recalled, the head of the Council of Ministers is expected to officially present such proposals in the next few days.
Katherine Sójka will not refuse to direct the health ministry. COVID-19 vaccination delay lies with EMA.
Published Nov. 20, 2023 08:22
fot. Piotr Wójcik
- Constructing a proposal for the composition of the government is a big responsibility," added Katherine Sójka.
Although the mission to form a new government under Mateusz Morawiecki seems doomed to failure in advance, the health minister is not prejudging the issue.
- I'm in the field and I'm hearing more and more different information, including about the proposals of the now opposition grouping. There are quite a few voices of dissatisfaction with such a coalition formula that is being created. Perhaps it will be the case that this option will not have this majority at all in a while," assessed Katarzyna Sójka.
The Health Minister was also asked about vaccines that protect against Covid-19. Although the average daily number of officially confirmed infections already exceeds one thousand, updated preparations that protect against the Kraken variant are still unavailable in Poland.
- We have ordered a sufficient quantity of the vaccine, for which the approval process by the European Medicines Agency has been prolonged. The registration has already been finalized, and the preparations will arrive in the country by the end of the month. From December 6, we will be able to vaccinate against the latest variant of the virus. Until then, we can use earlier vaccine options," explained Katarzna Sójka.
The updated formulation will be available free of charge to anyone who wants it. Meanwhile, there are also problems with the availability of antiviral drugs used to treat COVID-19, especially Paxlovid.
- There is a great deal of doubt about this drug. One pack costs about 6,000 zlotys, while in our western border it costs about 60 euros. The problem with this drug, which also, in my opinion as a doctor, casts doubt on it, is also the very large amount of information on side effects. These are also requirements that the manufacturer places on us. I have not encountered so far that when including this drug for a patient, cooperation between the doctor and a clinical pharmacologist is required," the health minister added.
