Chronicle Editor
Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
HEALTH authorities have approved Covid-19 jabs for 16- to 17-year-olds, and schools and tertiary institutions have been challenged to roll out vaccination campaigns targeting this age group with immediate effect.
In a statement yesterday, the Health and Child Care Ministry said the teenagers will be inoculated using the Sinovac doses only.
The country has been vaccinating adults and Cabinet recently approved the vaccination of minors aged 14 years and above.
Vaccination reduces the risks of succumbing to Covid-19 by 90 percent if one contracts the virus.
The Ministry said while it has approved the vaccination of 16 and 17-year-olds, it was still conducting tests on the eligibility of vaccinating other minors.
“Based on the available scientific data in line with the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe guidance, the specialist pediatricians have recommended the vaccination of the 16 to 17 years age group with the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine. The protocol for the younger age groups is still under consideration. The Ministry wishes to advise the public that Covid-19 vaccination of the 16 to 17 years age group has been approved,” read the Ministry statement.
“All the provinces, secondary schools, colleges, universities and vaccination centres are hereby required to commence the vaccination campaign of this age group with immediate effect. For the avoidance of doubt, the only vaccine type eligible for this age group is the Sinovac vaccine.”
Government remains committed to achieving herd immunity by year end and the Ministry said while the country’s target is to vaccinate at least 60 percent of the population, 38 percent had been vaccinated by last Sunday.
It encouraged citizens to get vaccinated as Covid-19 still poses a global and national threat.
“The Covid-19 pandemic is still raging worldwide and Zimbabwe is not spared. To date the country has recorded 132 926 cases and 4 675 people have succumbed to the disease. In the absence of effective medical and health interventions, while adopting physical distancing and masking, herd immunity remains the unmet need for the Zimbabwean population. — @nqotshili
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