STAFF WRITER
MATABELELAND North province has moved to deal with the misinformation surrounding the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
While government has assured Zimbabweans about the safety of the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine, some conspiracy theories have continued to be thrown around. This has led to some people now fearing to take the jab, despite the fact that it’s on voluntary basis.
To allay the fears, vice president Constantino Chiwenga was last week the first to take the jab.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs minister Richard Moyo this week said the province has already put together structures to raise awareness about the vaccine.
“We realised that our people are not aware of this vaccine and those who know don’t properly understand it. As a result we decided to set up awareness teams for all the districts, such that they can reach out to all the people. So we are already on the ground,” Moyo said.
The province received 8 610 doses which will be distributed as per the seven administrative districts, with distribution having started on Friday.
“What I want to encourage the people of Mat North is that, since they witnessed Vice President Chiwenga taking the first jab, it’s an assurance that the vaccine is safe so people should not be afraid,” Moyo who has also led by example by taking the jab.
The vaccine which is seen as a huge measure to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus is currently under its first phase where frontline workers are being vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Matabeleland North provincial medical director Munekayi Padingani said the vaccine roll out will be determined by the distribution of Covid-19 cases.
“Statistics of Covid-19 in rural provinces are different as compared to other provinces, Matabeleland North is one of the provinces that recorded significantly low cases and deaths despite a big chunk of the population being based in neighbouring South Africa.
“The figures can be attributed to population movement. Matabeleland North is not regularly visited by people, its only in Tsholotsho, Nkayi and Lupane which receive large volumes of people from South Africa, where most of these people live and they come back home during holidays,” he said.
