By: Ernest Jumo
Zimbabwe: (News Of The South) – The UK ambassador to Zimbabwe Melanie Robinson says the UK will provide Covid – 19 vaccination (Covax) to 3 million Zimbabweans, representing about 20% of the population.
Robinson revealed this when she paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Health and Child Care Dr. Constantino Chiwenga 2 days ago.
She said the UK has devoted over $700 million dollars to helping lower middle income countries to vaccinate their most vulnerable populations.
“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,” said Robinson.
The Ambassador disclosed that Zimbabwe is set to benefit from the British initiative.
“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.
Commenting after meeting the Ambassador, Dr. Chiwenga, who also doubles as Vice President, said priority would be given to frontline workers and the most vulnerable who include the elderly.
Mr Chiwenga also said that government will use its own resources to ensure that the rest of the population get vaccinated.
“In our case, the priority is on frontline workers and critical groups like the elderly, and we still have to look at the bulk of our population. 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.
Addressing officials from various entities including The World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) later on in the day, Mr. Chiwenga gave reassurance that the country will administer a vaccine that’s verified and proven as safe.
“A readiness assessment was conducted to ensure that only approved vaccines without side-effects will be administered to our citizens. Zimbabwe is keenly following research and development of vaccines in an effort to find long-term solutions to combat Covid19,” he said
To date Zimbabwe has recorded 12 656 Corona virus cases, 330 deaths and 10 259 recoveries.
Comments
About Author
