Hundreds of thousands of new doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine have arrived in Poland.
The batch of 870,000 doses is set to be distributed nationwide over the coming days with further deliveries expected throughout the month of April. In total, around 5.6 million doses are expected to reach the country this month, including shipments from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, and the first deliveries of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The news comes as one Polish company prepares to start production of another vaccine – Novavax. Łódź-based Mabion – which boasts one of Europe’s most advanced drug production centres – would produce the vaccine in bulk before shipping it to Germany for finishing.
As reported by the Reuters news agency, Mabion is expected to produce vaccine supplies for countries across Europe in the third quarter of this year.
Novavax is currently in advanced trials with promising results so far. If the remaining trials prove successful, it’s thought the vaccine could be rolled out in the summer or autumn.
Polish music legend Krzysztof Krawczyk died this week at the age of 74.
Krawczyk’s musical career spanned more than half a century, beginning in the mid-’60s and continuing well into the 2010s. Characterised by his distinctive baritone voice, his music defies categorisation – merging genres from rock and jazz to pop and country. He was also known for Christmas hits and religious songs, even earning the nickname 'Polish Elvis’.
Both as a solo artist and together with the „Trubadurzy” band, Krawczyk reached international success, recording popular tracks in the US in the early ’80s and even performing for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.
He died on Monday at the age of 74 after being hospitalised with COVID-19.
People in the UK are emerging from a months-long lockdown this week – presenting a major test for vaccine effectiveness.
Amidst a major spike in cases and the emergence of a more contagious variant of the virus, the UK entered lockdown in January. Since then, public life has been largely snuffed out with most people required to stay at home.
But a speedy vaccine rollout and falling case numbers have raised hopes in recent weeks, and the first set of restrictions was lifted late last month.
From next week, non-essential retail as well as gyms, libraries, and hairdressers can also reopen in England and even restaurants and cafes will be able to offer table service outdoors.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the relaxing of restrictions will be „cautious but irreversible”.
The UK has seen a rapid vaccination programme, with roughly 37 million doses administered. From next week, people in England will also be offered two free COVID-19 tests per week.
Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz has won the Miami open.
The 24-year-old tennis star won in straight sets against Italy’s Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s final to take the trophy.
The win makes Hurkacz the first Pole to win a Masters 1000 title in the singles.
Weather
Mostly cloudy and blustery today with a chance for some sunny spells at times.
Highs today of 7C, 44F, with a shower or two possible later in the afternoon.
A chilly night with a bright start tomorrow morning.
Radio Gdansk News / Thomas Holdstock
