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Mirriam Madiye
Features Writer
The vaccination roll-out programme was launched in February with two pilot sites Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals first vaccinating frontline health workers and staff.
The City of Harare recently decentralised Covid-19 vaccination sites to 24 points now across Harare.
The Herald caught up with some Harare residents to hear their views.
Togarepi Tarwira of Budiriro high density suburb commended government.
He got his jab at a polyclinic in Kuwadzana.
“There was congestion at Wilkins Infectious Disease Hospital and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals as everyone wanted to be served,” he said.
Before decentralisation, he added, those wishing to be vaccinated would have find long winding queues at the centres, but now this is a thing of the past.
“This will also encourage the uptake of the vaccine even among the local population as some people thought it is only for those who stay in the low density areas,” explained Tarwira.
Rudo Marufu from Mufakose highlighted that accessibility to the vaccination sites is now easy and hassle free.
“Harare is over populated as many people stay in the city so the decentralisation aspect is a good move.
Now accessibility to the vaccination sites is now hassle free as one can just walk to a nearby poly clinic and be vaccinated. No person will incur transport challenges such as bus fare,” she said.
Marufu also highlighted that this will save time as people no longer need to travel to Wilkins or Parirenyatwa.
“Any individual can go anytime to the polyclinic as there will be no long winding queues. This has brought the programme closer home,” said Marufu.
Mrs Ruth Mpofu said the decentralisation could have helped increase the numbers of vaccinated people.
“If one looks closely, from the start of the decentralisation of the vaccination posts, one will notice that the numbers of people that have been vaccinated so far has also increased.
People hate to wait in long queues as they will have other businesses to attend to,” said Mrs Mpofu.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, as of April 19, a total of 280 568 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 since the beginning of the programme.
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