By Michael Gwarisa Despite immunisation being one of the most impactful and cost-effective public health interventions, responsible for preventing over 4 million deaths every year, the African continent is currently lagging behind other world regions in terms of access to vaccines. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) data, every year, more than 30 million African children under the age of five suffer from Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs); and over half a million die due to limited access to immunisation services. This translates to 58 percent of global deaths from VPDs.…
Read MoreTag: immunisation
GAVI reduces funding towards Zimbabwe’s Immunisation programs
Zimbabwe needs to increase its domestic funding towards health care particularly the childhood immunization program to cushion itself from the impacts of the accelerated weaning off the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) co-financing facility, HealthTimes has learnt. By Kudakwashe Pembere In the short term, Zimbabwe could become ineligible for the GAVI financing facility since it is reporting an increase its gross national income (GNI) in its journey towards the ambitious upper middle-income status by 2030. The country saw a reduction of GAVI financing for most of its health…
Read MoreZimbabwe Launches Door-to-Door Supplementary Polio Immunisation Program
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) will from 27 to 30 October, 2022 kick-start the first round of a nationwide supplementary Polio immunisation drive as the country scales-up disease and outbreaks preparedness and prevention in children. By Michael Gwarisa The second round will start from December 1 up to December 4 and will be targeting children from Zero to five years. The supplementary vaccination will target children within the mentioned age range regardless of previous vaccination status. Even though Zimbabwe was certified Polio free in 2005, there have…
Read MoreMinistry of Health Holds Outbreaks and Immunisation Media Training
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) is holding a five days media training on immunisations and outbreaks in Domboshawa with the aim of capacitating health Journalists with the requisite information and knowledge around some of the interventions government is doing to address public health emergencies. By Michael Gwarisa The training is being attended by more than 25 Journalists and officials from the ministry of health Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) program. Giving opening remarks during the opening day of the workshop, MoHCC Director Nursing Services, Mrs Nyaradzai Chiwara…
Read MoreMake measles vaccination mandatory for Mapostori Children -VP Chiwenga told
HEALTH Policy and Public Health experts have advised health and child care Minister, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to act with speed and make measles vaccination mandatory in children from apostolic sects. By Michael Gwarisa This call comes in the midst of a sharp increase in new measles cases and deaths mainly in children between the ages 6 to 16 from apostolic religious sects, a development that has prompted government to activate the country’s Civil Protection Unit Act. Speaking to HealthTimes, Health Law Policy Expert, Mr Tinashe Mundawarara said the country’s…
Read MoreChildren More Prone To Typhoid Fever: WHO
THE World Health Organisation (WHO) Zimbabwe National Professional Officer for Expanded program on Immunization, Dr Maxwell Rupfutse said research shows that children under the age of four are more susceptible to typhoid as compared to other age groups. By Patricia Mashiri Speaking during a virtual media sensitization meeting on Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Introduction and catch up vaccination campaign, Dr Rupfutse said typhoid fever death rates may rise when left untreated. Severe cases may lead to serious complications or even death. Death rates in typhoid fever range from 1-4% in treated…
Read More