by Staff Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday received his second vaccination dose at Kwekwe General Hospital about a month after he got his first jab in Victoria Falls.
The President continues to take a leading role in the fight against COVID-19. He said he was pleased and encouraged by the ongoing uptake of the vaccines by the targeted groups under Phases 1 and 2 of the vaccine programme.
“Vaccines are indeed a critical tool in the battle against COVID-19, and getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect oneself, others and our nation as a whole from the deadly pandemic. Furthermore, vaccines train our immune system to recognise the targeted virus and create antibodies to fight off the disease without one getting the disease itself. After vaccination, the body is therefore ready to fight the virus if it is later exposed to it thereby preventing critical illness,” said the President.
He said the country continued to learn lessons from this Global pandemic, calling upon citizens to quickly adapt to the new normal and new realities in order to ensure that the country is able to achieve the milestones set out in the National Development Strategy-1 (NDS-1) as well as vision 2030.
The President applauded the focused approach and resilience demonstrated by various stakeholders in waging the relentless war against COVID-19.
“The success achieved to date with regards to the mitigation of the pandemic could not have been possible without the unity of purpose of all Zimbabweans and the unwavering commitment of our frontline workers and the security services,” said the President.
President Mnangagwa expressed the county’s gratitude to countries, development partners and individuals who continue to complement Government efforts through the provision of vaccines, medicines, consumables and other supplies in the country’s fight against the pandemic. He said the support, coupled with various strategies and measures being implemented by the Government were bearing fruits.
The President said the Government stands ready to deal with any reported cases of new infections in schools and education institutions, adding that sufficient vaccines are available for the vaccine of teachers who have been prioritised under the National Vaccination Programme.
President Mnangagwa said that Government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care would maintain timely, transparent and factual information with regards to the vaccination programme. He said it was pleasing that no adverse drug reactions had been recorded since the inception of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
As of 18 April 2021, a total of 285 956 people had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 36768 individuals had received the second dose of the vaccine.
