Friday, 29 March, 2024
HomeWeekly RoundupUK offers to provide COVID-19 vaccine for 3m 'most vulnerable' Zimbabweans

UK offers to provide COVID-19 vaccine for 3m 'most vulnerable' Zimbabweans

Britain has offered to vaccinate 20 percent of Zimbabwe’s population, the most vulnerable 3m people, against Covid-19 when the British vaccine is ready, reports The Herald.

UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe Melanie Robinson made the commitment when she paid a courtesy call on Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Constantino Chiwenga.

The UK is clear it wants to scale up co-operation with Zimbabwe ahead of its official exit from the European Union (EU) and Ambassador Robinson said they were encouraged by President Mnangagwa’s commitment to walk the reform agenda.

“We discussed Covid-19 and particularly vaccines. The UK has been a leading country in the world putting the Covax together. We have put over $700 million into making sure that the lower middle income countries can vaccinate their most vulnerable populations.

“We discussed how Zimbabwe can benefit from this so that the most vulnerable 20 percent can be vaccinated and we discussed how important it is that these vaccines are targeted to people that need them most,” she said.

Ambassador Robinson said Zimbabwe was on track to become one of the countries that would benefit from the vaccine. She said distribution would start when the right immunity against Covid-19 is available.

The UK said it was encouraged by the country’s reform agenda.The notable ones are the repealing of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Public Order and Security Act, and the licensing of six new independent television stations.

On the expected vaccine, VP Chiwenga said priority would be given to frontline workers and the most vulnerable who include the elderly.

“Once we have accepted the 20 percent which is being offered, we also look at our own resources to ensure the rest of the population are covered,” said VP Chiwenga.

He said they also talked about the restructuring exercise of the Ministry of Health and Child Care as well as the important support the health sector is getting from development partners.

Later in the day while officiating at another function in Harare which was attended by World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representatives among other dignitaries, VP Chiwenga allayed fears the country will only administer a verified vaccine.

“Zimbabwe is keenly following research and development of vaccines in an effort to find long-term solutions to combat Covid 19.

His Ministry is aware of the uncertainties surrounding the vaccines, which were followed by reports in the few countries that have accessed the COVAX vaccine.

“Our team of experts, drawn from the Epidemiology Directorate, Immunisation Programme, with support from the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group and the Medicines Control Authority have been keenly following the developments.

 

[link url="https://www.herald.co.zw/uk-offers-covid-19-vaccines-assistance/"]Full Zimbabwe Herald report report[/link]

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