Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
Government has so far spent US$127 million to procure over 16 million Covid-19 vaccine doses and syringes, since the mass vaccination programme began early this year.
Of that total, US$100 million was resourced from last year’s budget surplus.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, told a pre-budget seminar in Victoria Falls last week that Government was mobilising more resources to ensure that up to 60 percent of the population was immunised.
“To mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Government utilised the budget surplus of US$100 million from the previous year to procure vaccines to save lives and livelihoods,” he said.
“At the end of September 2021, Government had spent about US$127 million towards the procurement of almost 16,2 million vaccines and 16,2 million syringes.
“The target is to reach 60 percent herd immunity.”
The Finance Minister said mobilisation of additional resources is underway to ensure that the target population was fully vaccinated.
He also acknowledged support from development partners in the fight against Covid-19.
“By the end of September, the country had received US$137,6 million and 1 085 000 vaccines from development partners to fight the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
Online Reporter