Govt Officials Contradict On Those Who Failed To Get 2nd Jabs
Government officials have issued contradicting statements with regards to individuals who were vaccinated with the first jab of the Indian Covaxin COVID-19 jab and failed to get the second dose.
While they agree that the concerned individuals can restart the vaccination process using Chinese Sinovac or Sinopharm doses, they contradict on whether it is okay to add a single dose of a different vaccine to make them two.
Yesterday, Health deputy minister John Mangwiro said those affected could restart the inoculation exercise using Chinese vaccines. Mangwiro said:
Those who failed to get the second Covaxin dose should go to their nearest clinics and get inoculated. They can either get Sinopharm or Sinovac. It’s known that we follow science. There is no danger to their lives. They can also opt to restart the process and receive both the first and second doses of either Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccines.
Speaking on the same matter, COVID-19 coordinator Dr Agnes Mahomva said those who received the first doses of Covaxin in May and June are free to start the whole process afresh and access a new vaccine. She added:
Unfortunately, they won’t be able to mix vaccines as some suggested hence they should start afresh or continue waiting for the availability of the Covaxin which cannot be guaranteed now.
Zimbabwe Senior Hospital Doctors Association president Shingai Nyaguse said it was prudent to restart the vaccination process considering the long interval since the first dose.
Nyaguse said restarting the process was unlikely to cause health complications but urged people to “quickly report to the Health ministry in the unlikely event of adverse effects.”
