Suburban
At least 35 518 frontline workers have so far received the COVID-19 vaccination countrywide, Government has said.
Diana Nherera
Suburban Reporter
In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said 3 278 of these were vaccinated on Monday this week.
“Phase 1 Stage 1 as at 8 March, 2021, 35 518 frontline workers had been vaccinated at static sites in all the provinces of which 3 278 were vaccinated yesterday (08/03/2021),” reads the statement.
The Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine which arrived in the country from China has been rolled out to health centres such as Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Wilkins Hospital, council polyclinics in Harare and other health institutions in Harare and the rest of the country.
Meanwhile, Government has increased COVID-19 prevention and management measures in schools.
Schools are expected to reopen next week Monday for examination classes and on March 22 for non-examination classes.
Director of Communications and Advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Taungana Ndoro said preparations have been enhanced for the prevention and management of COVID-19 in schools.
“Preparations have been enhanced to ensure strict adherence to the WHO (World Health Organisation) protocols as well as guidelines from the Ministry of Health and Child Care for the prevention and management of COVID-19 in our schools,” he said.
On Tuesday Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa also said work was underway to prevent and manage COVID-19 in the education sector.
“In the recent past, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, in conjunction with the Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education; and Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, has been working on refining infection prevention and control mechanisms in preparation for the commencement of the 2021 school calendar year on 15 March for examination classes and 22 March for the rest of the learners.
“Preparations are well on course, including provision of water and sanitation facilities for the opening of schools and colleges,” she told a post Cabinet media briefing in Harare.
This week Government informed the nation that the COVID-19 roll out programme is well on course.
“Progress has been registered in receiving the second donation of 200 000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine from China, a donation of 75 000 doses of the inactivated Covaxin from India, and another donation of 20 000 does of Sputnik-V vaccine from Russia.
“Emergency use authorization has been issued for the four vaccines by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe, namely: Sinopharm, Sinovac (China), Covaxin (India) and Sputnik-V (Russia). All those intending to procure vaccines for their employees must procure only registered vaccines in Zimbabwe,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She said the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development will be purchasing the vaccines on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe.
The Government also announced the guidelines for the procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccines by the private sector in Zimbabwe.
The guidelines are:
- All COVID-19 approved vaccines will be procured through the National Vaccine Procurement Fund managed by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
- Organisations, individuals and any partners wishing to donate towards vaccine procurement will do so to the President through the Fund.
- Donations received and pledges made to date will be announced at the next Meeting. Organisations interested in procuring COVID-19 vaccines for their workforce will deposit their funds into the National Vaccine Procurement Fund after approval by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
- The National Vaccine Procurement Fund will procure on behalf of the organizations guided by the national procurement guidelines.
- To ensure safety and efficacy, vaccines shall be kept at the Central vaccines Stores under the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the National Cold Chain guidelines shall apply.
- Only trained and registered health professionals shall be authorised to administer vaccines, and only the Ministry of Health and Child Care shall be responsible for issuing all COVID-19 vaccination certificates.
- All vaccines administered at private institutions will be transported by Ministry of Health and Child Care medical staff under guard by the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
