Zim extends vaccinations to 14-17 years olds

Harare (New Ziana) – Cabinet on Wednesday approved the extension of the vaccination program to the 14-17 year age group, as the country targets herd immunity by December this year.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said given the current momentum, the herd immunity target would be reached.

Zimbabwe is targeting to inoculate at least 10 million people to reach herd immunity.

To date, she said, over 2.3 million people had received their first dose while over 1 million were fully vaccinated.

“Given the current vaccination statistics, Cabinet is confident that herd immunity will be achieved by December 2021,” she said.

“The country has already acquired 13 million doses out of the 20 million required in order to achieve herd immunity. On the advice of scientists, the program will also be extended to the 14 -17 year age groups.”

Mutsvangwa said border towns including Victoria Falls, Chirundu, Nyamapanda and Kariba had recorded the highest vaccination coverage given government’s targeted vaccination drive in those areas.

She said funding to procure more vaccines was readily available.

“(About) 2.5 million doses were received between 19 and 24 August 2021. During the month of September the country is expecting to receive 2.5 million doses under direct purchase and 943 000 under the COVAX program, government wishes to assure the nation that it has sufficient financial resources to procure all the required vaccines,” she said.

“The Chinese government has donated another 500 000 doses while the Serbian government has made a donation of 30 000 Sputnik V doses.”

Meanwhile, Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe would donate, to Namibia 20 000 vaccine doses.

This, she said, was being done; “in the spirit of regional cooperation and solidarity.”
New Ziana