Poland’s government does not foresee moving the date of the commencement of the new school year due to increasing number of people contracting swine flu – informed deputy health minister Adam Fronczak.

Such a solution was initially suggested by the European Commission to all EU member states.   

Fronczak said, in an interview with the legal daily Gazeta Prawna, that the government is currently holding talks with pharmaceutical companies on the possible purchase of flu vaccines against the A/H1N1 virus, which are to be ready by January 2010. The minister also confirmed that Poland has not yet signed any contract for such a purchase.     

The government is to provide flu vaccines only to people considered to be in a higher risk group. In case of an epidemic, most Poles would have to cover the expenses out of their own pockects – added Fronczak. (di/mmj)