Zim vaccine rollout reaches one million milestone

Over a million Zimbabweans have received the first dose of the vaccination roll out program according to a covid-19 update by the Ministry of Health and Child Care for 15 July of 2021, 1 036 252 have received the 1st dose of the jab while 630 610 have received the second jab.

This comes at a time when the government has opened the vaccination program to every Zimbabwean.

The Ministry issued a Covid19 roll out plan for 2 million Sinovac vaccines. “Each province had been allocated 50 000 first doses with the exception of Harare and Bulawayo provinces which will receive 100k first doses apiece. Mashonaland Central province will receive 90 000 first doses,” reads a statement by the Ministry.

Unprecedented long queues of citizens awaiting their turn to get their first jab have become the hallmark of vaccination centers in Bulawayo, Victoria Falls and other cities and towns.

In a letter addressed to ALL PMDs, CEOs Central Hospitals, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Air Commodore (Dr) J. Chimedza said the ministry has noted some challenges which members of the public face while trying to get the vaccines and wishes to advise as follows;

All people in a queue for vaccination before 1700hrs shall be vaccinated on the same day;

All those who present themselves for vaccination without National Identification Cards or Passport shall be vaccinated upon producing a letter from Headman, Local Councillor or Member of Parliament confirming them as ordinarily resident in the area.

Zimbabwe’s Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Constantino Chiwenga said the country aims to achieve 60 percent herd immunity from COVID-19 by the end of 2021.

As at 15 July 2021, Zimbabwe has recorded 78 872 cases, 49 774 recoveries and 2 418 deaths.