Covid-19 vaccination blitz

Sunday Mail Reporter

About 4 000 previously unvaccinated people received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine last week, as Government rolled out the latest immunisation blitz geared to boost national herd immunity.

The drive comes ahead of the anticipated influx of people into the country during the festive season. The nationwide vaccination campaign, which is being conducted simultaneously with a polio immunisation programme, is meant to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus during the festive season.

Data from the Ministry of Health and Child Care shows that 3 775 people received the first dose as of Friday, while 3 467 got their second dose, with 11 308 getting their third jab.

In an interview, chief coordinator of the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr Agnes Mahomva said: “When Government introduced the vaccines, there were long queues at vaccination centres because we were still at the peak of Covid-19.

“Now that we are recording low infection figures, there is a corresponding low number of people coming forward for vaccination.

“The biggest challenge we are facing is that most Zimbabweans seem to think that we no longer have Covid-19, which is not true.

“So, as we go into the festive season, the teams are going to continue pushing and strengthening the vaccination programme to increase the number of people being vaccinated.”

She said the authorities plan to enhance community outreach programmes and possibly conduct door-to-door vaccinations, subject to availability of resources. Provinces, she said, have been directed to draw up innovative approaches to boost vaccination numbers.

Currently, 58 percent of all Zimbabweans who qualify to be vaccinated have received their first dose.

Addressing last week’s post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said: “The country should remain focused and continue pushing for higher vaccination coverages in order to provide maximum protection to all citizens. A strengthened vaccination plan and electronic register that enables vaccination teams to easily identify and follow up on those who have not yet received their second or third dose is due for introduction, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care will update the nation on progress made.”