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Ray Bande-Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT is widening its Covid-19 vaccination scope by targeting apostolic sects in pursuit of achieving herd immunity, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister, Dr John Mangwiro, has said.
Manicaland is home to various apostolic sects with large religious groupings that usually do not subscribe to all forms of scientific medications.
Speaking during a meeting with civic and Government departments’ heads at Mutare Hall on Tuesday, Dr Mangwiro said there is need to approach apostolic sect leaders and persuade them to convince their members to embrace vaccination.
“We need to gather as a team, including the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Government departments’ leaders and all the other stakeholders, so that we visit apostolic sect leaders and enlighten them on the need to get vaccinated.
“We need to engage them properly. This is about life and death. Belief and reality has to be clearly differentiated. We need to educate them on why it is good to get vaccinated,” said Dr Mangwiro.
He also said there has not been any side effects recorded from all those who have been vaccinated so far.
“We are aware that there are people who peddle falsehoods and want to instil fear in communities. We have not had any notable side effects or adverse effects from the more than 470 000 people who have been vaccinated so far. We have heard that some people experience headaches after being vaccinated, but at times it will be a result of tension and excessive fear,” he said.
Dr Mangwiro also dispelled rumours being peddled on social media that the Covid-19 vaccination programme will end in May and that people will soon have to pay to get the jabs.
“I think you heard Dr Nyadundu (Manicaland Provincial Medical Director) saying we should finish vaccinating people in Mutare by May.
“But that is not going to be the end of the vaccination programme. It is an ongoing programme. Vaccination will end after we have inoculated 10 million people.
“And no one will have to buy the vaccine as Government has committed itself to provide it for the good of the citizens.
“In addition, there are studies that are currently ongoing to see what will happen if we vaccinate children between 12 and 18. So this is something that is ongoing,” said Dr Mangwiro.
Herd immunity is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection.
At least 60 percent of the population has to be vaccinated for Zimbabwe to achieve Covid-19 herd immunity.
Online Reporter