Zim vaccination program moving on smoothly -President Mnangagwa

Harare (New Ziana) –President Emerson Mnangagwa on Monday commended Zimbabweans for embracing COVID-19 vaccines as uptake of the drugs continues to increase since the vaccination program started in February this year.

According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, by April 11, at least 194 594 people had received their first dose while 28 898 had received their second one.

Zimbabwe commenced its COVID-19 vaccination program using the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine, targeting front-line workers first.

The 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.

President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe so far ranked third in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) among countries with the highest uptake of vaccines.

“Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 vaccination program is working. Zimbabwe has the third-highest rate of vaccinations in SADC and the eighth highest in Africa as a share of the population,” he tweeted.

According to statistics on various COVID-19 vaccination tracker websites, Zimbabwe currently ranks third on the continent with at least one percent of the population having been inoculated so far.

Seychelles, which has a population of about 97 000, has the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate in Africa, where around 106 doses were administered per 100 individuals followed by Morocco with approximately 23 doses per 100 people.

President Mnangagwa urged more Zimbabweans to take up the vaccine.

“We cannot lose this momentum. If you are eligible I urge you all to get your jab,” he said.

New Ziana