Harare, August 30, 2022 (New Ziana) – Covid-19 vaccination will be ramped up in schools when they re-open for the third term next week, with priority being given to those that have not yet reached the 70 percent coverage target as government seeks to keep the pandemic situation under control.
This was said by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa in a post Cabinet media briefing.
She said the decision was made after Cabinet noted a small increase in new cases in at least seven provinces in the past 14 days.
She said statistics indicated that a total of 76 new cases were recorded during the week compared to 84 the previous week, with an average of 11 new cases per day, compared to 12 the previous week.
“However, the resurgence analysis indicates that seven provinces experienced some minor increases in cases over the past fourteen days. These increases were however insignificant as the numbers were very small and had no impact on the pandemic trajectory. The small increases are however an indication that the country needs to remain vigilant,” she said.
“In view of the small increase in new cases in seven provinces, Cabinet resolved that all provinces must continue to strengthen their Covid-19 response; ramp up vaccinations in schools once schools reopen in September 2022 and prioritise those that have not yet reached the 70 percent vaccination coverage target; and pay attention to the control of other medical outbreaks.”
Mutsvangwa said as at 29 August, a total of 6 423 538 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine had been administered, while 4 781 286 people had received their second dose, and 1 016 189 their third dose.
“Routine vaccination activities continued in all health facilities during the week. All provinces also strengthened their measles outbreak response initiatives and conducted routine facility-based vaccinations.”
In June, with the Covid-19 situation in the country largely under control, the government lifted a midnight to dawn curfew imposed as part of Covid-19 containment measures.
Further, the government relaxed mask restrictions for people who have received three doses of the vaccine.
Zimbabwe has implemented a widely acclaimed Covid-19 management programme, which included strict lockdowns and an impressive vaccination campaign.
Zimbabwe is using Chinese, Russian and Indian-made vaccines in its Covid-19 vaccination programme.
To further strengthen its Covid-19 management systems, government has also approved the introduction of Covid-19 self-test kits, mainly at ports of entry in order to ramp up the country’s testing capacity.
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