Govt publishes vaccine distribution plan

Harare (New Ziana) – At least eight of Zimbabwe’s 10 Provinces have been allocated 50 000 doses of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines each while the remaining two Metropolitan Provinces (Harare and Bulawayo) will receive 100 000 doses each as the country forges ahead with its widely commended vaccination programme.

Zimbabwe took delivery of two million Sinovac jabs on Thursday.

According to a roll-out plan provided by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, priority will be given to border towns and cities, people’s markets such as Mbare Musika, hotspots, tobacco auction floors and higher and tertiary institutions.

“Each province has been allocated 50 000 first doses, except Harare and Bulawayo Metropolitan Provinces (which) will receive 100 000 doses,” the Ministry said.

“Mashonaland West Province (a current hotspot) will receive 90 000 first doses.”

So far Zimbabwe, which has used US$40 million to procure vaccines, has secured 3,7 million shots while 560 000 doses have been donated by China, India and Russia.

The country expects another 1.5 million doses of Covid19 vaccines soon while a further 2 million will be delivered at the end of July.

Meanwhile, according to statistics by the Ministry on Friday, a total of 26 374 people received their first vaccine doses bringing cumulative total for first dose to 875 182.

A total of 4 063 people received their second dose bringing cumulative total for second dose to 588 883.

However, the country continues to record increasing new COVID-19 cases.

On Friday at least 2 683 new cases were detected while 55 deaths were also recorded bringing cumulative cases in Zimbabwe since the outbreak to 65 066, including 44 021 recoveries and 2084 deaths.

“(There were at least) 1 166 new recoveries, national recovery rate stands at 68 percent while active cases go up to 18 961
New Ziana