By Staff reporter
Cabinet has endorsed Zimbabwe’s vaccination programme in particular the choice of vaccines which it said needs to be science based with adequate research and findings guiding decision making.
This was revealed yesterday during a post Cabinet briefing held in the capital.
Cabinet further endorsed that the country will take decisions independently in the national interest, without undue influence and that the vaccination programme shall be undertaken in a structured manner, with groups such as the health frontline workers being accorded first priority.
Updating Cabinet on the procurement and roll out of Covid-19 vaccines in the country, Vice President and Minister of Health and Childcare, Dr Constantine Chiwenga, highlighted that while a trend of some decline in infections and deaths had been recorded as a result of the lockdown measures currently put in place to contain the outbreak, it was imperative that the country accelerates the acquisition of vaccines in order to halt a potential third wave.
Regarding the Covid-19 vaccination programme, the Vice President said that the Health and Childcare Ministry plans to vaccinate about 60% of the country’s population in order to achieve herd immunity (10 million people). “A developing plan mapping the priority groups for roll-out of vaccines has already been developed. Already Government has set aside US$100 million for the procurement of covid-19 vaccines and Treasury will continuously ensure funding for procurement of other medical suppliers including medicines and Protective Personal Equipment (PPEs) in the fight against the covid-19,” said Vice President Chiwenga.
In terms of vaccines procurement, the Vice President revealed that the Government of the People’s Republic of China extended a donation of 200 000 SinoPharm Covid-19 vaccine doses, adding that the donation and initial batch purchased are expected in the country by 15 February 2021 and first week of March, 2021 respectively. He went on to say that the 76 to 86 percent efficacy of the SinoPharm vaccine was endorsed by the World Health Organisation.
Vice President Chiwenga further revealed that efforts to procure other Covid-19 vaccines such as the Sputnik (Victory) from Russia, among others are underway. “India, like China, has also offered a donation and option to purchase commercially and modalities for this offer are still being worked out. Zimbabwe has also submitted its expression of interest to participate under the African Union Covid-19 Vaccination Programme. The private sector will also support Government through a formula that allows these to keep 50 percent of what they procure for their employees,” said Vice President Chiwenga.
The Government has already made it clear that the Covid-19 vaccines will be administered to citizens freely and that the initial consignment will cater for frontline workers, the elderly and other vulnerable groups in the country. Administration of the Covid-19 vaccination will be on a voluntary basis.
Meanwhile, as at 08 February 2021, the country had recorded 34 658 cases, 28 825 recoveries and 1 339 deaths.
