Covid-19 and measles make no difference for pessimistic Hwange community
Calvin Manika and Onita Sibanda
Along Gebuza road in the crowded Lwendulu suburb, Hwange, children play and talk as they walk to school.
Cautious drivers on school runs give them way.
At least everyone has a facemask except a few. COVID-19 taught them the essence of self-care and prevention. As they continue to be wary of COVID-19, another threat looms large against children – that of Measles.
Unfortunately, most children in Hwange are unvaccinated.
According to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) a measles outbreak in the country has already infected more than 600 people and killed at least 700 children.
The outbreak was first discovered in April in Manicaland and has since exponentially increased, affecting all parts of the country.
Fears of the outbreak have been high in Hwange especially at schools.
In September, the government launched a campaign to vaccinate more than 2 million children aged between 6 months and 5 years and more than 4 million children aged 5 to 15 years against Measles.
In October, health authorities in Hwange stepped up the vaccination drive which has however been met with resistance and hesitancy amongst parents and guardians.
“We are afraid of these vaccines. Since the days of COVID-19, we have been hearing a lot of stories about vaccines. So, we cannot just take our children for vaccination because [authorities] are compelling us.If I cannot subject my children to that unless I get a better explanation on vaccines,” said Tichaona Mhona, a resident.
“I can’t allow myself to be inoculated without being ill. I don’t trust vaccines. We have heard many issues around vaccines. COVID 19 is almost over and I was not vaccinated. I don’t think, for Measles I will change my mind, at least for now,” said Ruth Ncube, another resident.
The situation in Hwange is worrisome as parents are not supporting government’s efforts as the majority remain unvaccinated.
Portia Banda, a community health worker in Lusumbani village, Hwange said even after conducting a door-to-door campaign, the turnout for vaccinations was poor and not encouraging.
“There are about 500 households in this village but less than 50% of people have come forward. This is an indicator that a lot must be done. Before COVID-19, people would flock here, but now social media rumours have increased vaccine hesitancy,” said Banda.
Health experts have encouraged those aged 18 and above to be vaccinated as they are at risk of contracting measles if they were not vaccinated since birth.
However, this advice has been taken with mixed feelings as people are pessimistic about the vaccine with fears that it could be a plot to spread COVID-19. They argue that health officials must focus on children only. Worse still, the majority of those discouraging other residents from taking the Measles vaccine have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Without official statistics on the outbreak, Hwange residents feel the measles outbreak is a concern only for children, yet according to Dr Mayibongwe Mzingwane, a Medical Virologist from the Faculty of Medicine at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), adults are also at risk.
“Unvaccinated adults who have never been exposed to Measles can get infected. The World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that any non-immune person can become infected,” said Dr Mzingwane.
Councillors from the Hwange Local Board and Hwange District Council are encouraging residents and villagers to support the COVID-19 and Measles vaccination campaigns that are ongoing.
Hwange Local Board Ward 9 Councilor Fani Chirwa has been at the forefront of encouraging parents to inoculate their children against measles.
“Let’s visit our nearest clinics and make sure our children are vaccinated against measles. Vaccination against COVID-19 is ongoing and we should take this opportunity to stay safe,” said Chirwa.
