By Staff Reporter

Zimbabwe has this morning received the first batch of 200 000 Sinopharm Covid 19 vaccine doses donated by the Chinese Government to help the country fight the deadly disease.

The doses which came aboard an Air Zimbabwe charter flight, were received at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Constantino Chiwenga and the Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun.

President Mnangagwa is expected to officially receive the doses later today at State House and also address the nation on the way forward regarding the lockdown.

Zimbabwe is going to be the first Southern African country to roll out the Covid 19 vaccination program.

According to Government, frontline workers such as health professionals, immigration agents working at border posts and the elderly, will be the first recipients of the Covid 19 vaccine.

The 200 000 doses from China are just the start of the millions needed for the country to inoculate about 10 million people, representing about 60 percent of the country’s population, to achieve herd immunity.

Apart from the vaccine donations the country received from China, the Government has also budgeted approximately US$100 000 for vaccines and the local businesses have also expressed interest to assist in the procurement of the vaccines.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa has thanked the Chinese Government for its continued support for Zimbabwe and has described the vaccines from China as a light at the end of the tunnel.

“Our dear friends of China, these vaccines are certainly providing a new light of positivity to the people of Zimbabwe in these tough times. We are most grateful for this life saving gesture. From our people to yours, thank you to my dear brother President Xi Jinping and thank you to all the people of China,” said the President.

Just like many other countries, Zimbabwe is battling Covid 19 disease. As of yesterday, the country had 35 104 reported Covid 19 cases, including 1 398 deaths.