We need to accelerate the vaccination programme so that we can reach herd immunity faster, Health and Child Care Minister, Dr John Mangwrio has said.
In launching the Private Sector Covid-19 Vaccination Programme initiated by Cimas, Dr Mangwiro said the number of people being vaccinated throughout the country was increasing daily.
“Fortunately, more and more people are coming to realise that it is important to be vaccinated to prevent the serious consequences that may occur if they become infected with the virus.
“The number of people being vaccinated throughout the country is increasing daily.
“However, we need to accelerate the vaccination programme so that we can reach herd immunity faster, Dr Mangwiro said.
“There is common agreement among scientists and most governments that achieving herd immunity by vaccinating the majority of a nation’s people is the only way to overcome the virus and once again return to some semblance of normality.
“For this to be carried out by every nation, is the only hope we have to return to normalcy not just for Zimbabweans but for the world over,” he said.
He hailed the supportive role that the private sector was playing in tackling the challenges the virus poses for our nation and our people.
“This latest initiative to take part in the national vaccination programme by offering vaccination at Cimas facilities and at various Business Firms is a welcome move.
“It will help increase the pace of vaccinations and hopefully remove any doubts that those who have been delaying a decision on vaccination may have had,” he said.
Dr Mangwiro said the fact that Zimbabwe has not been as badly affected as many other countries is largely due to the steps that Government took which include the implementation of early lockdown measures.
“We do still have people infected with the virus, some of whom are in serious conditions.
“Mass vaccination against the virus at present seems to be the only hope that there is to overcome the virus. We live in a global village, which is why the pandemic spread so quickly worldwide. This is the reason why scientists worked so hard to come up with a vaccine as soon as they possibly could.
“Therefore it is important for as many people to be vaccinated, not only for their own protection and the protection of their own nation but in the interests of every other nation,” he said.
“It is unfortunate that scepticism about COVID-19 vaccines, he said, developed in general and with regard to the vaccine we are using here in Zimbabwe in particular. This scepticism has been exacerbated by a considerable amount of fake news circulating on social media.
“I know that Cimas, which is the Programme Technical Partner and Health Advisor to the Business Member Organisations, has been proactive in providing its own members with factual information about the vaccine.
“I know too that Cimas has played a major role in proposing to Government the private sector initiative to acquire and dispense the vaccine and in obtaining from Government the vaccines for the vaccination programme being launched here today.
“This initiative is welcome for a number of reasons. With Government resources limited and stretched through the demands that this pandemic has put on it, a private sector initiative to meet the cost of some of the vaccines is very welcome.
“The initiative also further demonstrates the patriotism of private sector organisations that have been working together with the Government to combat COVID-19 for the benefit of the nation.
“It demonstrates what can be achieved when we act together as a nation with unity of purpose,” he said.
The vaccines acquired through Government will be dispensed through Cimas clinics, which provides yet another avenue through which people can obtain the vaccine.
This should increase the speed with which the Government vaccination programme will be implemented.
Moreover, the Private Sector COVID-19 Vaccination Programme demonstrates the faith that your organisations have in the vaccine, in the face of the myths, misconceptions and misinformation that are making some people hesitant to have the vaccination.
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