by Staff reporter

The Chinese government has assured Zimbabwe that it will be one of the first 14 countries to receive COVID-19 vaccine aid.

The Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr. Guo Shaochun broke the glad tidings on his official twitter handle, much to the delight of Zimbabweans who are reeling under the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Zimbabwe will be one of the first 14 countries to receive vaccine aid from China very soon,” said Ambassador Guo Shaochun.

Other developing countries that the Asian country is going to prioritise are Pakistan, Brunei, Nepal, the Philippines, Sierra Leon, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Belarus, Equatorial Guinea and Palestine.

In a statement, Wang Wenbin, Spokesperson in the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “China has been working through concrete actions on President Xi Jinping’s solemn commitment on making COVID-19 vaccines developed and deployed in China, a global public good, thus contributing to greater accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries.”

Mr Wang said apart from the first 14 countries, China would also help 38 additional developing countries with the vaccine. He added that his government was also taking part in the WHO-led COVAX and also providing vaccines to developing countries through this platform.

The aid will go a long way in the fight against the deadly pandemic that has so far killed 1 254 people and infected 33 814 people. Zimbabwe has set aside US$100 million to acquire COVID-19 vaccines, which the scientists will recommend.