STAFF WRITER
GOVERNMENT has said the country’s vaccination statistics have significantly dropped a development that is likely to slow the target of achieving herd immunity by year end.
Speaking during a question and answer session in the Senate yesterday, health minister, John Mangwiro confirmed the development in Parliament.
“Indeed, we realised that there was a time where we used to vaccinate about 100 000 per day but we have seen that these days we are vaccinating around 30 000 or below.
“Yesterday (Wednesday), the Minister of Health and Vice President, Chiwenga, including ministers of State and Provincial Health Directors, mapped a way forward in order for us to work with Senators so that when you go to your constituencies, you may help us in creating awareness,” Mangwiro said.
He said there was a need to go back to the drawing board and include all major stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, Senators, traditional leaders and religious leaders.
He said there was a need to move with speed so as to reach herd immunity.
“If we delay, we may not be able to reach herd immunity; so this effort is meant to just reinforce what we began. Indeed, it is a fact like you pointed out that there is reluctance now.”
“Initially we thought after the first 3 months it will be over but the waves continue. If we go back to history, in around 1840 and 1922, we realised that such pandemics survive in society for about five years before they can be eradicated. So let us not fool ourselves and think that it is over, it is still there, so we need to continue creating awareness so that if the fourth wave comes, it will find us prepared.”
The Government is targeting inoculating 10 million Zimbabweans by year end to achieve herd immunity.
According to the latest update by the Ministry of Health, 7 069 people received their first jab on Thursday bringing the cumulative number to 3 251 466.
To date, a total of 2 517 653 are fully vaccinated including the 9 447 that received their second jabs on Thursday.
