Chronicle EditorLumbidzani Dima, Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO Provincial Medical Director, Dr Maphios Siamuchembu is urging all teenagers in the province aged 16 and 17 years to get the Covid-19 jab.
On Monday, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care said Covid-19 vaccination for the 16 to 17 years-age group had been approved, hence vaccination centres are required to commence the vaccination campaign of the age group with immediate effect.
He said the only vaccine type eligible for this age group is the Sinovac vaccine.
Dr Siamuchembu said it was important for those in that age group in Bulawayo to go and be vaccinated.
“I would like to inform the residents of Bulawayo metropolitan province that the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Health and Child Care has approved and is encouraging vaccination of all children aged 16 and 17 years, and above using Sinovac,” said Dr Siamuchembu.
He encouraged the teenagers to be vaccinated at their nearest Covid-19 vaccination centres.
“We are extending our vaccination to all people in the province aged 16 years and above, in addition to all the adults that we have already been vaccinating, so we are encouraging everyone who is older than 16 years of age to go to their nearest vaccination centre and receive their vaccination,” Dr Siamuchembu.
Everyone, including pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, is advised to get fully vaccinated and prevent a possible 4th wave of Covid-19 which has reached some countries.
Dr Siamuchembu said the 4th wave can hit Zimbabwe any time.
“The fourth wave of Covid-19 has already started in some parts of the world and we anticipate that it will hit us in no time. We would like to protect the population of Bulawayo Metropolitan Province through vaccination, therefore we are encouraging everyone who is eligible for vaccination, and by eligible, I mean everyone above the age of 16 to go and get vaccinated, get their full vaccination doses, first and second dose,” he said.
“I would also like to encourage all pregnant women and lactating mothers that it is safe to get vaccinated against Covid-19, and encourage them to be vaccinated.”
He advised that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved vaccination of pregnant women and lactating mothers, and there is evidence that there is no harm to the unborn baby or to the breast-feeding baby from vaccination.
Online Reporter