Ruwa residents hail blitz

Paidamoyo Bore

RUWA residents have hailed the local board’s health department for the accelerated measles and Covid-19 vaccination blitz currently underway.

The vaccination campaign is targeting all children from six months to five years.

The campaign is also targeting children from 12 years, and above, for Covid-19 vaccination.

Five-year-olds are also getting tetanus injections.

Parents welcomed the programme, saying the initiative ensures they don’t have to take their children outside Ruwa for vaccination.

“We are very happy because the health department has made it easier for us to make sure that our children are vaccinated.

“This will also reduce the pressure at the clinic.

“We have parents who do not take some of these things in our communities, but I am happy that with this blitz, no one will be left behind,” said a parent, Estery Nyabezi.

She said it will also expose those who do not vaccinate their children.

The vaccination team visited Ruwa, and surrounding areas, which include Solomio, Timire, Zimre Park and Damofalls.

Another parent, Tariro Sedze commended the move by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

“I want to thank the Ministry because they have made this easier for us, as parents.

“We live quite a distance from the clinic, so it was not going to be easy for us to adhere to the call.

“They are serving us very well, and it’s not taking time.

“I urge other parents, and guardians, to take this initiative seriously and bring their children for vaccination,” she said.

Regis Musara, the Environmental Public Health Practitioner for Ruwa, urged all parents to take the blitz seriously as measles had claimed the lives of many children.

He also urged parents to spread the message, and encourage one another, to bring their children to vaccination points.

“I am happy that parents are coming with children, but we want more numbers, so please spread the message on all platforms.

“We have been using WhatsApp groups to communicate our next stops to make sure no one is left behind.

“There is considerable pressure since schools opened, but we still encourage parents, who missed us when we visited their areas, to come to the Ruwa Clinic, Ruwa Poly Clinic and Rehab Centre,” Musara said.