Harare (New Ziana) – A larger second batch of COVID-19 vaccines from China is expected in Zimbabwe on Tuesday, officials have said.

Zimbabwe commenced its COVID-19 vaccination program late last month after receiving 200 000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine as a donation from the Chinese government.

Front line workers were given first priority in the inoculation program which has seen over 35 000 getting their first doses of the vaccine.

To broaden the vaccination program, the Zimbabwe government procured 600 000 doses from China while the Chinese government donated an additional 200 000 jabs.

“A larger delivery of vaccines from China will arrive tomorrow (Tuesday). Let us keep the momentum in (the) vaccination program and keep more Zimbabweans safe,” the Chinese embassy tweeted on Monday.

Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun added: “In the face of a pandemic, acting with determination and speed is the key. A Zimbabwean charter flight will bring back the second batch of China donated COVID-19 vaccines as well as the first batch of procured Chinese vaccines.”

The Zimbabwe government has also authorised the emergency use of other vaccines including the Russian made Sputnik V, another Chinese manufactured vaccine Sinovac and the Indian made Covaxin vaccine.

These are due to arrive in the country soon for a broader roll-out of the vaccination program.

To augment Zimbabwe’s vaccination program, the Russian government has promised 75 000 doses of its Sputnik V vaccine, which is the world’s first registered COVID-19 vaccine, while the Indian government has pledged 12 000 doses of its Covaxin vaccine.

Zimbabwe is targeting to vaccinate at least 60 percent of the population to achieve head immunity, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa imploring citizens to go and be inoculated.

New Ziana