IN a move that is set to catapult Zimbabwe’s vaccination coverage to dizzy heights, the country has already started implementing an integrated vaccination drive in communities mainly prioritizing Human papillomavirus vaccines (HPV), COVID-19, Tetanus and Diphtheria (DT). By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s integrated vaccination drive is in line with the “The Big Catch-up”, a targeted global effort to boost vaccination among children following declines driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign is being led by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Bill & Melinda Gates…
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WHO Publishes New COVID-19 Vaccination Guidelines
THE World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) has since revised the roadmap for prioritizing the use of COVID-19 vaccines, to reflect the impact of Omicron and high population-level immunity due to infection and vaccination. By Staff Reporter The roadmap continues SAGE’s prioritization of protecting populations at the greatest risk of death and severe disease from SARS-CoV-2 infection and its focus on maintaining resilient health systems. The roadmap newly considers the cost-effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination for those at lower risk – namely healthy children and…
Read MoreZim preps intensified measles, polio vaccination
PREPARATIONS for an intensified measles and polio vaccination campaign are well on course as the Ministry of Health and Child Care commenced the training of trainers in Masvingo on Monday. This comes on the heels of the declaration of a measles outbreak in Mutasa district. The Health Ministry is conducting a Intergrated meeting on Polio Campaign & EPI Training of Trainers workshop on Supplementary Immunization Activities with support from UNICEF ZIMBABWE and WHO Zimbabwe. The participants were drawn from the country’s 10 provinces. “There are planned measles and polio campaigns…
Read MoreTrust Issues Blamed For Low Vaccine Uptake in Zim-Study
SKEPTICISM around the Chinese manufactured vaccines, the Sinopharm and Sinovac has to a greater extent hampered the uptake of COVID-19 Vaccines in Zimbabwe. By Michael Gwarisa This is according to data that was gathered during a COVID-19 Rapid Assessment that was conducted by Pangea Zimbabwe AIDS Trust between September and October 2021. Zimbabwe is currently ranked among the highest in Africa in terms of vaccinating its citizens. However, a number of factors have hindered the country’s progress towards attaining herd immunity where an ambitious target of vaccinating 10 million citizens…
Read MoreZim Inks US$6.6 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment Grant
ZIMBABWE’S finance ministry, the World Bank Group, as the Fund Administrator of the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program and the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund have singed a US$6.6 Million COVID-19 response grant with the aim of supporting the deployment and management of COVID-19 vaccines. By Staff Reporter According to the World Bank, financing for the project, which comes in the form of a grant, aims to support the deployment and management of COVID-19 vaccines and strengthen related health system capacity in Zimbabwe. the grant will ensure adequate…
Read More#BREAKING: Zimbabwe To Extend Vaccination To 12 and 15 Year Olds
THE Zimbabwean cabinet has announced plans to vaccinate 12 and 15 year olds as part of plans to expand the vaccination program and attain herd immunity as the COID-19 pandemic gradually transforms into an endemic. By Michael Gwarisa The development comes a few months after government extended vaccination to 16 year olds. Briefing Journalists during a Post Cabinet Media Briefing in Harare, Joram Gumbo, the acting information minister said. “Based on advise from the paediatric association of Zimbabwe special COVID-19 vaccine group, and therefore has resolved to extend COVID-19 vaccination…
Read MoreZim Gvt In Schools COVID-19 Vaccination Blitz For 16 To 17 Year Olds
THE Zimbabwean government has announced a jump in the national COVID-19 vaccination numbers over the past seven days at the back of increased uptake of vaccines in the 16 to 17 years age groups in schools countrywide. By Michael Gwarisa Briefing Journalists during a Post-Cabinet Media Briefing in Harare, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the cumulative number of vaccines administered in the previous week increased significantly following the extension of vaccination towards the 16 to 17 year olds in schools. On the national vaccination programme,…
Read MoreZimbabwe Gvt Approves Vaccination Of 16 Year Olds Against COVID-19
THE Zimbabwean government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), has approved the immunization of 16 to 17 years olds with the aim of accelerating the implementation of the national COVID-19 vaccination program. By Michael Gwarisa The developments also come in the midst of indications that the national vaccination coverage has reached 38% against a target of vaccination of at least 60% by 31 December, 2021. In a statement, Health and Child minister, Dr Constantino Chiwenga said the 16-17 years olds will only receive the SINOVAC vaccine. The…
Read MoreFull Economy Opening Premised On Vaccination- Mthuli Ncube
THE Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mtuli Ncube has called on Zimbabweans to get vaccinated for the economy to fully open up. By Patricia Mashiri Speaking during a Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 vaccination program on Zimpapers Television Network, Prof Ncube said there was no reason for Zimbabweans to shun vaccination as government procured millions of vaccine doses towards that cause. Vaccination strategy in Zimbabwe is also an economic recovery strategy. We can only open up the economy safely if everyone is safe, if people will not infect each other. Therefore,…
Read MoreWithout Mandatory Vaccination, Will Zimbabwe Meet December Herd Immunity Target?
WHEN Zimbabwe launched its national COVID-19 vaccination drive in February this year, health and child care minister Dr Constantino Chiwenga announced that the target was to vaccinate at least 10 million Zimbabweans in order to attain herd immunity. Just recently, information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa told Journalists during g a post cabinet media briefing that government was still optimistic of reaching the herd immunity target by December. By Michael Gwarisa However, over the past seven months since commencement of the national vaccination initiative, a number of…
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