The Government has directed secondary schools, colleges, universities and vaccination centres in all provinces to commence the vaccination of the 16 to 17 years age group against COVID-19 with immediate effect.
In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said the specialist paediatricians have recommended the vaccination of the 16 to 17 years age group with the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine.
It said the decision to innoculate the said age group with Sinovac was based on the available scientific data in line with the guidance of the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ).
Pindula News is publishing the statement by the Ministry of Health and Child Care below:
<blockquote>
The COVID-19 pandemic is still raging worldwide, and Zimbabwe is not spared. To date, the country has recorded 132 926 cases and 4 675 people have succumbed to the disease.
In the absence of effective medical and health interventions, while adopting physical distancing and masking, herd immunity remains the unmet need for the Zimbabwean population. 
The government is accelerating the implementation of the national vaccination programme.
The programme has reached a national coverage of 38% of the targeted population, as of 31st October 2021.
Globally and nationally, public health discussions have been ongoing regarding extending vaccination to children and other special groups such as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Based on the available scientific data in line with the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe guidance, the specialist paediatricians have recommended the vaccination of the 16 to 17 years-age group with the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine.
The protocol for the younger age groups is still under consideration.
The Ministry wishes to advise the public that COVID-19 vaccination of the 16 to 17 years age group has been approved.
All the provinces, secondary schools, colleges, universities and vaccination centres are hereby required to commence the vaccination campaign of this age group with immediate effect.
For the avoidance of doubt, the only vaccine type eligible for this age group is the SINOVAC vaccine.
The Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Health and Child Care, is determined that Zimbabwe achieves herd immunity by end of December 2021.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Pindula News

Coronavirus: Zimbabwe Launches Vaccination Of 16 To 17 Age Group

The COVID-19 third wave has triggered a stampede for vaccines in Zimbabwe as thousands throng vaccination centres across the country to get the lifesaving jab.
A sharp rise in new infections has resulted in a fourfold increase in the number of people being inoculated across the country within 24 hours.
According to data released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, on Thursday (yesterday), 826 new cases were recorded while 10 526 people received their first COVID-19 jab, with 15 940 getting a second.
The country’s vaccination programme had been marred by apathy and vaccine hesitancy since it was launched by Vice-President and Health Minister Constantino Chiwenga in February this year.
However, health experts have attributed the stampede to fear, as it has been discovered that most of the people who are falling seriously sick were unvaccinated.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/06/20/receiving-vaccines-doesnt-mean-you-cant-contract-coronavirus/">READ MORE: ‘Receiving Vaccines Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Contract Coronavirus’</a>
COVID-19 national taskforce chief coordinator Agnes Mahomva on Thursday attributed the rise in the number of people who are being vaccinated to the realisation that the vaccines were a lifesaver. She said:
<blockquote>The public has come to realise that vaccines are helping people from not falling sick. Vaccines in the country remain for free.</blockquote>
Medical and Dental Private Practitioners Association of Zimbabwe president Johannes Marisa said fear of the coronavirus was driving people to get the vaccine. He said:
<blockquote>This is due to panic, people are now stampeding to get the vaccine because of fear.
It has been shown that the majority of people who are falling seriously sick were those who are not vaccinated.
So people are now realising the importance of the vaccine and they are now running around to get inoculated.</blockquote>
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/04/21/third-wave-of-coronavirus-already-in-zimbabwe/">READ MORE: ‘Third Wave Of Coronavirus Already In Zimbabwe’</a>
Masvingo provincial COVID-19 taskforce spokesperson Rodgers Irimayi recently said that receiving vaccines does not mean that one cannot test positive for the virus but those who are vaccinated avoid severe symptoms when infected by the virus.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/06/3rd-wave-triggers-stampede-for-vaccination/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Third Wave Triggers Stampede For COVID-19 Vaccination

Health authorities have called on members of the public to be vigilant in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic even if they are fully vaccinated as they can still contract the coronavirus.
This comes after 12 health officials from Karoi and five people from Chiredzi recently tested positive despite being vaccinated.
Mashonaland West acting provincial medical director Gift Masocha confirmed the 12 positive cases recorded in Karoi to The NewsHawks. Said Masocha:
<blockquote>I can confirm that 12 of the health officials who tested positive at Karoi Hospital were fully vaccinated against the virus with both first and second vaccination jabs.
The medical history of the other 20 people who tested positive was unknown to health authorities at the time of testing.
This was the first batch of 32 people who were tested in Hurungwe. All of those who tested positive had not travelled out of the country.
Let me clarify that being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 doesn’t stop anyone from being infected.
The truth is that the infection will be weaker unlike for those who have not been vaccinated.</blockquote>
Masvingo provincial COVID-19 taskforce spokesperson Rodgers Irimayi said the development should not raise alarm since it is normal. He said:
<blockquote>Receiving vaccines does not mean that one cannot test positive for the virus. If one is vaccinated, he or she can be infected but will not be severely affected by the virus.
People should visit vaccination centres to receive their jabs to avoid severe symptoms when infected by the virus.</blockquote>
The Ministry of Health and Child Care placed Kwekwe, Hurungwe and Kariba districts under a localised lockdown following the spike in infections.
Meanwhile, Karoi, Chirundu, Magunje, Mhangura, Chinhoyi, Chidamoyo (Mash west) Masvingo district, Chiredzi (Masvingo Province), Nkulumane, Emakhandeni and Northern Suburbs (Bulawayo), Mt Darwin (Mash Central) have been classified as hotspots.
<h4>More: <a href="https://thenewshawks.com/vaccinated-people-still-catching-covid-19/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The NewsHawks</a></h4>

'Receiving Vaccines Doesn't Mean You Can't Contract Coronavirus'

Another batch of 500 000 Sinopharm vaccines ordered from China is expected in the country next month to boost the national COVID-19 vaccination programme, a cabinet minister has said.
This follows reports of a shortage of the jabs, with several people who turned up at inoculation centres over the past several days being turned away in some parts of the country.
Speaking at the 16th post-Cabinet briefing in Harare on Wednesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the vaccines would arrive in the country next month. She said:
<blockquote>Regarding vaccine procurement, the public is informed that delivery of the 500 000 Sinopharm vaccine doses which were ordered from China is expected in June 2021.</blockquote>
The government says it has set aside US$10 million to purchase COVID-19 vaccines in response to the deadly pandemic and so far, 1.2 million Sinovac vaccines have already been procured from China.
The national vaccination programme was launched in February with a target to reach 10 million people with the vaccines to reach herd immunity.
As of 26 May, a total of 643 531 people had received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while 293 509 their second dose across the country.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/500-000-more-vaccines-on-their-way/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

500 000 More COVID-19 Jabs On The Way

Zimbabwe is experiencing a shortage of coronavirus vaccines, with several people who turned up at inoculation centres in some parts of the country being turned away.
The vaccine shortage comes at a time when the new Indian variant has hit the country, prompting the government to impose a two-week lockdown on Kwekwe, a city in the Midlands Province.
Several vaccination centres throughout the country, including the main cities Harare and Bulawayo, were experiencing a shortage of the jabs, of either the Chinese Sinopharm, Sinovac or the Indian Covaxin vaccines.
In Harare, only Wilkins Infectious Diseases Hospital was administering both the first and second doses on Monday.
Parirenyatwa and Sally Mugabe Central hospitals, as well as Mabvuku Polyclinic, had recorded stock-outs.
COVID-19 taskforce chief coordinator Agnes Mahomva confirmed the shortage, adding that the government was in the process of redistributing vaccines from areas with an oversupply. Said Mahomva:
<blockquote>We are aware of some centres that are saying they have run out of vaccines and the ministry is in the process of redistributing the vaccines from centres with an oversupply of the vaccine as we cannot have some places with vaccines expiring after we have procured more.</blockquote>
Bulawayo City Council’s health services director Edwin Sibanda confirmed that vaccines had run out at some centres. He said:
<blockquote>We are expecting some extra stocks this week as we have been promised to avert the crisis, but we do not know how many.
The second dose is there, meaning that we cannot increase the number of people vaccinated since these doses go in pairs.</blockquote>
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health chairperson Ruth Labode said the shortage was caused by an unequal response to the vaccine campaign.
Zimbabwe launched a countrywide inoculation exercise in February this year, targeting to achieve herd immunity which is about 60% of the population.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/05/vaccine-shortage-hits-covid-19-programme/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Zimbabwe Hit By Coronavirus Vaccines Shortage

Zimbabwe is seeing a boost in vaccine tourism as foreign nationals have started arriving in the country to get vaccinated against COVID-19, for a fee.
This comes after President Emmerson Mnangagwa last month said foreigners could get the jab in Zimbabwe if they were willing to pay. He said then:
<blockquote>Zimbabweans will get the vaccine for free, but foreigners who come here will receive the vaccine at a cost. This is a human element, we cannot deny anybody the vaccine, but if you are not Zimbabwean we will give you the vaccine at a cost.</blockquote>
The government has so far authorised the use of four COVID-19 vaccines: China’s Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines, Russia’s Sputnik V and Covaxin from India.
The World Health Organisation <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/05/07/who-lists-sinopharm-covid-19-vaccine-for-emergency-use/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">(WHO) on Friday listed Sinopharm for emergency use,</a> giving the green light for this vaccine to be rolled out globally.
The Sinopharm vaccine is produced by Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Co Ltd, a subsidiary of China National Biotec Group (CNBG).
Meanwhile, Grant Evans, a local businessman in Zimbabwe, decided to bring over his extended South African family who are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in the neighbouring country. Said Evans:
<blockquote>The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is slow in SA, and my extended family in Cape Town needed to get vaccinated. We made a decision to bring them to Zimbabwe to get vaccinated.
The private clinics in Zimbabwe are charging foreign nationals $70 for both jabs, we are happy to pay and it sounds reasonable.</blockquote>
Below are some posts gleaned by TimesLive from Twitter on the idea of vaccine tourism in Zimbabwe:
@sharonmufaro posted: “Today I came across some tourists who came to Zimbabwe specifically to get vaccinated and they are happy to pay for the jab. To say I was amazed is an understatement.”
@Thatorale commented: “Limpopo and Zim are not that far apart. This sounds like a plan.”
@XNdimba tweeted: “Credit where it’s due. You guys clearly got this right. It’s highly politicised in SA — it’s an opposition party playground. They push conspiracies, calling them ‘ideology’.”
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/africa/2021-05-08-vaccine-tourism-south-africans-cross-border-to-zimbabwe-for-covid-19-jab/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">TimesLive</a></h4>

South Africans Trickle Into Zimbabwe For COVID-19 Vaccination

People who had COVID-19 before are vaccinated once, a senior official in the Ministry of Health and Child Care has said.
Chief director curative services in the Ministry, Dr Maxwell Mareza Hove said the body of a person who has had COVID-19 has been put on alert by the natural infection and if they are not sick and are asymptomatic, they get a single jab which acts as as a second dose. Dr Hove said:
<blockquote>By vaccinating we are trying to sensitise the body to get alert that there is COVID-19 disease so it produces a certain type of antibodies.
For those who have already had the disease, the body has been put on alert by the natural infection and if they are not sick and are asymptomatic, we can give them but as a second dose because they are already sensitised by the previous infection.
If the person is stable we give the vaccine as a booster so that the immune system is stronger.</blockquote>
Dr Hove also urged citizens to open up about their conditions to health staff so that it can be ascertained if they are ready to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. He said:
<blockquote>Those above 60 years are also being vaccinated but after the screening, because the elderly tend to have other conditions like diabetes, hypertension or respiratory problems.
When they are not stable or blood sugar is out of control we wait until they have been cleared by their doctor.
HIV is equally a chronic disease. If the viral load is low and they are taking their medication with no sickness, they get vaccinated but if the viral loads are still high we wait until that is controlled.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/people-with-chronic-diseases-can-get-vaccinated-against-covid-19/">Chronicle</a></h4>

'People Who Had COVID-19 Before Are Vaccinated Once'

Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Constantino Chiwenga on Thursday said the government is engaging retired health workers and army personnel to fast-track the coronavirus vaccination process.
Chiwenga said this while speaking to reporters soon after getting his second Sinopharm jab. He said:
<blockquote>We are bringing in army medical personnel, local authorities and retired health workers to revamp vaccination across the country to achieve herd immunity.
This is a massive rollout and we have not had such in years hence it is important that we train health workers, educate the nation about the importance of vaccination.</blockquote>
Chiwenga, who was the first Zimbabwean to get vaccinated last month, has urged citizens to embrace the COVID-19 vaccination programme. He said:
<blockquote>Today my vaccination was just a matter of seconds and I was done. This improved speed is commendable and this will help us reach our targets.
We have to do it faster and have the manpower to do it.</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is using a phased approach in vaccination and is now in its second phase. The first phase targeted frontline workers and to date 39 607 have been vaccinated.
The uptake has, however, not been encouraging as there are reports some health sector workers are reluctant to receive the Chinese-developed vaccine.
<h4>More: <a href="https://ztn.co.zw/stream/2021/03/retired-health-personnel-and-army-in-vaccination-campaign/?fbclid=IwAR2CLJjo17I0drJgSrp-Sg3qim0kxAz4JY8-jm1V5-QSM7phnWmZ4xiwOv4">ZTN</a></h4>

Govt Ropes In Retired Health Workers, Army To Expedite Vaccination Rollout

President Emerson Mnangagwa Sunday urged Zimbabweans to receive the coronavirus vaccine saying it was the best way to defeat the deadly virus.
In a short video posted on his social media accounts, the president said the vaccines help to minimise the risk of infection and citizens should receive the jab which is being administered free of charge. He said:
<blockquote>Since 2020, Zimbabwe like the rest of the world, has been fighting COVID-19, we have lost many of our loved ones and those who have survived are still coming to terms with the trauma, our way of life has changed as we adjust to the new normal.
Many have been asking, is there a way out? Is there protection against COVID-19? Well, I am here to tell you that you and I have a role to play in this fight.
COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered to Zimbabwe, these vaccines help minimise the risk of infection and are being administered all over Zimbabwe free of charge.
You and I need to defeat the disease. So get vaccinated now, this is our stand against COVID-19, together we will conquer, get vaccinated now.</blockquote>
The government has also authorised the emergency use of other vaccines including the Russian made Sputnik V, another Chinese manufactured vaccine Sinovac and the Indian made Covaxin vaccine.
Zimbabwe has, however, a long way to go in inoculating the majority of its citizens with just over 35 000 frontline workers – mainly medical staff – have received their first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine so far.
<h4>More: <a href="http://newziana.co.zw/2021/03/14/president-mnangagwa-urges-public-to-get-covid-jabs/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">New Ziana</a></h4>

President Mnangagwa Urges Zimbabweans To Be Vaccinated

Thousands of nurses and other health workers in public hospitals are reportedly refusing to be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus using the Sinopharm vaccine donated by China.
Despite Vice-President and Health and Child Care Minister Constantino Chiwenga volunteering to be the first person to take the jab at Wilkins Hospital in Harare last week, public sector nurses remain hesitant to participate in the vaccination programme due to fears of side effects of the vaccine.
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president Enock Dongo told Zimbabwe Independent that there has been low participation of health workers in the vaccination programme. He said:
<blockquote>I can confirm that people are afraid. However, vaccination is the way to go. The reports we receive show that there was a low turnout on Monday but it seems the number is increasing slowly.
But as more information trickles in from government about the vaccine side effects and efficacy details, maybe things will change for the better.
There is a need for government to properly dispense information about vaccines because there is a lot of information on social media.
Government has to publicise reliable information on all media platforms to build confidence among health workers and the general populace.</blockquote>
Sinopharm is said to have a 76% efficacy rate and has been taken in many countries including Brazil, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
On the other hand, vaccines manufactured by Western countries such as Pfizer and Oxford/AstraZeneca have efficacy rates of over 80% while the Russian Sputnik V vaccine stands at 92%.
Dongo urged the government to do more to educate the public about the importance of being vaccinated as the 1 314 health workers who had taken the jabs constitute a tiny fraction of all health workers. He said:
<blockquote>There is fear among the people and the first phase has to work because this will then instil confidence. In government, there are 20 000 nurses and all health workers are over 46 000.
If it’s true that 1 314 have taken the vaccine; what percentage is that? There is a problem.  Government should clear the air about the vaccines.
The messages should be dominant on all social media platforms so that we win the hearts of health workers and citizens. We are encouraging our people to get vaccinated.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2021/02/27/nurses-resist-chinese-covid-vaccine/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Zimbabwe Independent</a></h4>

Zimbabwe Nurses Reject Chinese Coronavirus Vaccine

Kwekwe Polytechnic College has dismissed as fake a letter purporting to be an order for staff and students at the institution to take the Chinese-developed Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine.
According to <a href="https://twitter.com/ZimFact/status/1365260784528408578" rel="noopener" target="_blank">ZimFact, the college’s Principal, Evans Musara said letter is fake and was manufactured by “people who are surviving on peddling falsehoods.”</a>
The letter, which is dated 25 February 2021 and signed and stamped by one T. Dube (Dean of Students) orders all staff and students at the institution to be vaccinated before the March/April 2021 Higher Education Examination Council (HEXCO) examinations. The letter reads:
<blockquote>Due to the risk of COVID-19 pandemic Kwekwe Polytechnic received the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine The Ministry of Health and Child Care is taking the following steps:
Effective immediately vaccination programme at Kwekwe Polytechnic on the 27th of February to the 1st of March 2021, all Staff and Students enrolled at Kwekwe Polytechnic are to be vaccinated with only the following exception: All candidates of the upcoming HEXCO examinations and all Polytechnic staff.
We recognize that there are staff and students that have strong views on both sides of this issue specifically on the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine.
However, this is not an area where we can accommodate any deviation from this new protocol.
Your cooperation is anticipated and appreciated and we thank you for your continued partnership.</blockquote>

'Compulsory Vaccination At Kwekwe Polytechnic Letter, Fake News'

The Republic of India has pledged to donate 75 000 coronavirus vaccines to Zimbabwe, with the South Asian giant granting Harare the opportunity to buy more.
In a post on his social media channels this Friday, President Mnangagwa said his government is working hard to procure more vaccines. He wrote:
<blockquote>We are grateful to our Indian friends for committing to donate 75 000 Covid 19 vaccines and for the opportunity to buy more moving forward.
We are working tirelessly to obtain sufficient vaccines so we can overcome this virus and revive our economy.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
We are grateful to our Indian friends for committing to donate 75,000 COVID vaccines &amp; for the opportunity to buy more moving forward. We are working tirelessly to obtain sufficient vaccines so we can overcome this virus &amp; revive our economy <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MEAIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiainZimbabwe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndiainZimbabwe</a>
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) <a href="https://twitter.com/edmnangagwa/status/1362641596081184768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
India’s pledge to donate vaccines to Harare comes a few days after the country took delivery of 200 000 Sinopharm jabs from the People’s Republic of China.

India Pledges To Donate 75 000 Coronavirus Vaccines

Zimbabwe’s mainline churches have urged citizens to have confidence in vaccines, saying being vaccinated will help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference secretary-general, Father Frederick Chiromba, called upon the government to make COVID-19 vaccines accessible to all people. He said:
<blockquote>The church recommends vaccines for all for a fairer and healthier world. Covid-19 vaccines must be made available and accessible to all. The church is at the service of healing the world.
There is a lot being discussed about vaccination. In the final analysis, it is better to be vaccinated than not against the COVID-19 pandemic.
There is a lot being discussed about vaccination. In the final analysis it is better to be vaccinated than not against the Covid-19 pandemic.</blockquote>
The secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) Rev Kenneth Mtata said front line workers such as nurses and doctors should be prioritised in the vaccination roll-out programme. He said:
<blockquote>We have enough vaccines to drive herd immunity. We support the vaccine with the revamping of the health system.</blockquote>
On Monday Zimbabwe received a donation of 200 000 Sinopharm doses from the Chinese government and 600 000 more are expected in the country within the next three weeks.
The country is also set to get more doses from China, Russia, United Kingdom, India and others through purchase and donations.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/churches-hail-govt-urge-vaccine-acceptance/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Herald</a></h4>

Churches Give Coronavirus Vaccination Thumbs Up

The highly fatal and fast-spreading South African coronavirus variant now constitutes 61% of new infections in Zimbabwe, the government has said.
In a post-Cabinet press statement on Tuesday, the government said security services will further intensify movement restrictions across the country to enforce compliance with lockdown measures. The statement read:
<blockquote>Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that results of the genomic sequencing recently conducted indicate that the type of COVID-19 virus that the nation had in 2020 has receded.
There is now a 61% dominance of the new South African variant of the COVID-19 virus, which spreads faster and has a higher fatality rate.
Accordingly, the nation now needs to be more vigilant than before and adhere to COVID-19 prevention and control measures.
Security personnel have, therefore, been directed to intensify monitoring and enforcement in order to enhance compliance.</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the government said the vaccination of critical staff using the Sinopharm vaccine donated by China would commence this Thursday and would be voluntary and free.
The inoculation will be done in phases, with the first phase aimed at vaccinating 22% of the population. The Cabinet statement further read:
<blockquote>The aim of the first phase is to vaccinate 22%, 18,4% under phase two; and 18,4% under phase three, thereby yielding a vaccinated population of nearly 60% of the population.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/02/govt-threatens-more-restrictions-as-anxiety-swirls-over-chinese-vaccine/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

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