Chronicle Editor
Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE has managed to secure 1, 8 million doses of the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) amid reports that interventions put in place by the Government have led to a decline in new cases as the uptake of the vaccine has reached 90 percent.
The country recorded an outbreak last year in February and rolled out the OCV last month as a measure to contain the water-borne disease, which has so far claimed 71 lives.
An additional 430 suspected cholera deaths have also been recorded in different parts of the country since last year.
In an update, Health and Child Care Ministry’s cholera incident manager, Dr Isaac Phiri, said a lot of effort was being put into affected districts that are continuously reporting cases to reduce new cases.
“As you are aware, we successfully applied for oral cholera vaccine and the country was awarded 2,3 million. Yesterday we received about 493 150 vaccines making the total number of vaccines that we have received as a country 1 884 536,” he said.
“These vaccines, as they arrive, are sent to the hotspots so that we start the vaccination. On February 10 we will receive the last batch of 418 000 vaccines to make the 2,3 million vaccines,” said Dr Phiri.
“For the few districts that are reporting a surge in cases, we are submitting data to the International Coordinating Group (ICG) so that we can have those districts also being covered.”
He said since the vaccine was rolled out, 697 550 people have been vaccinated. So far Harare has vaccinated 239 113 people, Kariba 12 339, Mberengwa has vaccinated 43 833 of the 45 000 targeted population.
Mt Darwin has vaccinated 119 189, Mbire 42 142 and Mazowe 47 022, making a coverage of over 86 percent in those districts.
Gutu has so far vaccinated 51 305, Mwenezi 59 831 vaccines and Chiredzi has a coverage of 97 percent after vaccinating 78 876.
“The uptake is good and people are coming forward to receive the vaccine. We would also want to take this opportunity to say that these vaccines are very safe and can be taken from the age of one and above, pregnant women are also encouraged to take the vaccine because they are at risk of having cholera in the community,” said Dr Phiri.
He said the vaccines received on Monday were meant for Mutare rural hence they have been delivered there.
“A lot of interventions have taken place in terms of cholera response. We have probably started to see the effect of the current vaccination in the areas. For instance, Kuwadzana reported five cases, Budiriro, Glenview six patients, which is a small number from the big numbers, which they were receiving,” he added.
“A lot of efforts have been put in place in terms of the distribution of water treatment chemicals at the point of use, health education on the prevention of cholera. Our health promoters are on the ground on a day-to-day basis imparting health education in terms of control of cholera.”
The ministry has said six districts in Masvingo have an OCV coverage of above 80 percent, which is quite high.
“We have not seen any pockets of resistance to vaccination as the population has received this before and they have seen that the vaccine works. We hope that we also get a reprieve so that we concentrate on other development issues including the provision of water,” said Dr Phiri.
He said Hwange had reported significant cases but the outbreak is being contained.
“As we have predicted by the end of March, probably the cases may not be a public health issue, especially with the rollout of the vaccination. We are demonstrating a decline in the cases with the data that we are giving daily.
“Even the daily cases were hovering over 200 and above but in the last few days, we are seeing around 130.”
Dr Phiri said at the highest level, the whole of the Government ministerial level committee was working very hard in the cholera response.
“In the rural areas engagement with the community leaders has been taking place. We have established cholera treatment camps as cases are reported so that people access treatment where the cases are emanating including oral rehydration points within the community manned by community health workers so that we reduce the impact of cholera,” he said.
“Communities themselves have also taken the lead in the response so we are happy with the response.”
Online Reporter