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The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) is implementing an Africa CDC Saving Lives and Livelihoods project whose main thrust is social mobilisation for COVID-19 vaccine demand and uptake.
The project, which is being implemented in Mashonaland West and Midlands provinces, is facilitated by the Health and Child Care Ministry.
The project is being supported by the Africa CDC Saving Lives and Livelihoods in partnership with MasterCard Foundation.
Esther Chitaya of Denhere village (Ward 4) in Zvimba district told <a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/news/article/200013207/fresh-covid-19-vaccination-drive-targets-rural-folk">The Standard</a> that people in her community, who have received the first dose, had been hesitant to get the second dose due to misconceptions and myths about the origins of COVID-19. She said:
<blockquote>
I got my first dose at Matanhire shopping centre during a mobile vaccination programme and I never turned up for the second dose.
Just recently, we had people from the Red Cross and Health Ministry moving around our village telling us about the importance of vaccination and warning us that COVID-19 was not over.
It was after this awareness drive that you find me and my colleagues here at the clinic to get the vaccination.
I have realised the importance of being vaccinated and I want to urge others to do so.
I think what the government is doing is essential because they are protecting us from future disasters.
We saw people dying of COVID-19 and we can’t afford to lose more just because they are not vaccinated.
</blockquote>
Tivaudze Mushangwe (19), who was getting his first COVID-19 jab at Nyabira clinic in Zvimba District, urged the Government to incorporate COVID-19 services into other health services programmes.
Zimbabwe Red Cross Society secretary-general Elias Hwenga said:
<blockquote>
You would realise that the main thrust of this project is social mobilisation for COVID-19 vaccine demand and uptake.
I am happy that our teams and village health workers have got the training and are getting into the communities.
</blockquote>
Africa CDC Saving Lives and Livelihood Programme national coordinator Charles Ibeneme said:
<blockquote>
The Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative is a partnership between the MasterCard Foundation and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) designed to save the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in Africa and hasten the economic recovery of the continent in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The initiative is acquiring vaccines for more than 65 million people, supporting the delivery of vaccinations to millions more across the continent, including Zimbabwe, laying the groundwork for vaccine manufacturing in Africa through a focus on human capital development and strengthening the Africa CDC.
</blockquote>
He said during the 10-month implementation of the project they would train village health workers, ZRCS volunteers and influential people in communities with the aim of mobilising people to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Said Ibemene:
<blockquote>
By being closer to the people we would lessen the burden on villagers.
We want the COVID-19 service to get to the last mile, we want villagers to access the service.
</blockquote>
On 05 May 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency more than three years after its original declaration.
WHO, however, stressed that it does not mean the disease is no longer a global threat.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

New COVID-19 Vaccination Drive Targets Rural People

The government has reiterated its call for people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 amid a rise in new coronavirus infections.
New coronavirus infections more than doubled from 809 cases recorded in December 2022 to the current 1 923, with 17 people having succumbed to the disease in January this year.
Chief coordinator for the National Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr. Agnes Mahomva said.
<blockquote>
We are observing an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
As Government, our message hasn’t changed, we continue to urge people to get vaccinated as that is the only effective way to safeguard ourselves from this pandemic.
</blockquote>
Mahomva said genomic sequencing is ongoing at the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory, and to date, no new variants have been detected. She added:
<blockquote>
Government continues to assess and monitor the situation on the ground daily, guided by both local and global data to provide timely and science-driven adjustments to the national response, where necessary.
Government also strengthened its case management systems by ensuring health facilities have adequate oxygen supplies and the medicines required for supportive care of identified positive cases requiring treatment.
This was mostly motivated by the fact that a lot of returning residents and some visitors were expected to travel back to Zimbabwe in large numbers, with some coming from countries experiencing an increase in the number of daily new cases.
</blockquote>
Since the onset of COVID-19 in March 2020, Zimbabwe has recorded 262 129 cases, including 255 181 recoveries and 5 656 deaths, with a recovery rate of 97 per cent. | <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/govt-pushes-for-vaccination-as-covid-19-cases-increase">The Sunday Mail</a>

COVID-19: Govt Urges Citizens To Be Vaccinated As Cases Rise

The Government has urged people who only received the first COVID-19 jab to go to vaccination centres and receive the second dose.
This follows revelations that thousands of vaccinated people are defaulting on taking the second jab.
Only about 30% of the 6 313 389 people who received the first dose in the country have received their second jab.
Addressing a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa implored citizens to go for their second dose. She said:
<blockquote>
Regarding the national vaccination programme, Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that, as of July 4, 2022, a total of 6 313 389 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered, while 4 661 854 people had received their second dose, and 893 978 their third dose.
This translates to national coverage of 56,1%, compared to the 55,9% recorded the previous week. Given the large gap between the first and second doses administered, those who have taken their first dose should go for their second dose.
</blockquote>
Health experts who spoke to NewsDay warned that unvaccinated people posed a high risk of getting infected compared to the fully vaccinated.
They said although new infections were going down, the high number of unvaccinated people could actually trigger a new wave of coronavirus infections.
Medical and Dental Private Practitioners Association of Zimbabwe (MDPPAZ) president Johannes Marisa said:
<blockquote>
The major reason is that the cases are receding so people no longer see the importance of not getting vaccinated.
The virulence of the virus is on the lower side. Complacency is contributing significantly to the low uptake of the second jab.
People think that they are already covered for dangers posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
With the virulence going down and cases receding, people are having self-satisfaction.
This is until danger strikes again and cases go up that people are jolted into looking for vaccines. However, globally, cases are on a downward trend.
</blockquote>
Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike said:
<blockquote>
Some people got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine out of fear at the height of the fourth wave.
Now they are saying they won’t go back for the second dose thinking that the pandemic is over because of the current decline in COVID-19 cases in the country.
All these funny theories against vaccines on the various social media platforms are affecting our vaccination programmes hence the low vaccine uptake.
We now need new and encouraging messaging in the communities to create demand.
Unvaccinated people threaten the safety of the vaccinated even when SARS-Cov-2 vaccination rates are high.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/07/govt-wary-of-covid-19-vaccine-defaulters/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Govt Urges Citizens To Take Second COVID-19 Dose

Health experts have commended the Government for easing COVID-19 restrictions and making it mandatory for visitors to Zimbabwe to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus to be allowed to enter the country.
On Tuesday Information and Publicity minister Monica Mutsvangwa told reporters that for travellers entering the country, the mandatory requirement for negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests is no longer necessary.
Mutsvangwa said returning residents and visitors are now required to present valid vaccination certificates showing that they are fully vaccinated.
Responding to the announcement, Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association president Johannes Marisa said:
<blockquote>
It is an indirect way to encourage vaccination.  As it is, it will be increasingly difficult for unvaccinated travellers to pass through borders.
Full vaccination has proven to be effective in fighting the virus so that is the only way to go if the country is to win the war against the respiratory disease.
</blockquote>
Mpilo Central Hospital acting chief executive Solwayo Ngwenya said relaxing COVID-19 measures will allow more economic activity though it could result in new coronavirus variants entering the country. Said Ngwenya:
<blockquote>
The benefit of easing COVID-19 measures is that it will probably open up the economy.
It will also see an increase in visitors, that is, an increase in tourist arrivals that will ultimately boost our forex earnings.
However, it risks new deadlier variants being easily brought into the country without detection.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Privilege Torai, a health promotions officer in the Health Ministry on Tuesday decried the low vaccination uptake, as only 31.1% of the country’s population has received the second dose.
She said this was caused by vaccine hesitancy, myths, long distances to vaccination centres, transport-related challenges, and the mobile population not returning for a second dose.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/03/govt-eases-covid-19-restrictions/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Health Experts Commend Govt For Easing COVID-19 Restrictions

The vaccination of the 12-15 years age group against COVID-19 has started after Cabinet last Tuesday gave its approval after getting guidance from the Paediatric Association of Zimbabwe.
In a memo sent to all Provincial Medical Directors and Chief Medical Officers, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Air Commodore Dr Jasper Chimedza said the programme will be done with parental consent.
He also said those in the 12 to 15 years age group would be vaccinated with either the Sinopharm or Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine. Part of the circular reads:
<blockquote>
Based on the available scientific data provided by the manufacturers the Medicine Control Authority of Zimbabwe has the Emergency Use Authority for the COVID-19 vaccination with Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines.
In light of the above Government has approved with the recommendation from the specialist paediatricians, the vaccination of the 12 to 15 years age group with immediate effect.
The programme will ride on the existing operational modalities on the vaccination of the 16 to 17 years age group currently in progress.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/vaccination-of-12-15-years-age-group-starts/">The Sunday News</a></h4>

Vaccination Of 12-15 Years Age Group Against COVID-19 Starts

Zimbabwe has expanded its COVID-19 vaccination drive to include children aged 12 years and above as schools have become coronavirus superspreaders since they were reopened on 7 February.
Addressing reporters after the second Cabinet meeting of the year on Tuesday, Acting Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Joram Gumbo, said:
<blockquote>
Cabinet resolved as follows: that, in view of the science-based guidance from the Paediatric Association of Zimbabwe Special COVID-19 Vaccine Group, COVID-19 vaccination be extended to the 12 to 15 years age group;
That the Risk Communication Sub-committee should urgently meet with the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) unit of the Ministry of Health and Child Care and begin to prepare and mobilise communities for the March to June national vaccination blitz.
</blockquote>
In the past, only those who had reached 16 years of age could be vaccinated and the new policy is aimed at curbing infections spreading in schools.
In its COVID-19 Situation Report on 22 February, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) said the country recorded 409 news cases, of which 95 of the new cases were from outbreaks detected from schools.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/cabinet-greenlights-vaccination-for-12-year-olds/">Chronicle</a></h4>

Zimbabwe To Vaccinate 12-year-olds Against COVID-19

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday threatened to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory, saying his government has sourced enough vaccinations to inoculate everyone.
Mnangagwa made the remarks while addressing a ZANU PF politburo meeting in Harare. He said:
<blockquote>
Altogether we have now received over 12 million doses from China as donations. So there is no need for anybody to remain unvaccinated.
There are so many vaccine doses that we will soon be stopping people on the streets to vaccinate them.
I would like to commend those who have heeded my clarion call to get a booster vaccine dose.
Government will continue mobilising vaccines to ensure that lives and livelihoods are saved and protected.
In the same issue of risk reduction, I call upon the nation to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and adhere to the set containment measures.
</blockquote>
According to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, on Saturday, 15 January 2022, 4 203 858 have received one dose, 3 228 693 have been jabbed twice, while a paltry 25 798 have received booster shots.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Acting President Constantino Chiwenga extended the Level Two COVID-19 lockdown measures by a further two weeks.
He hinted that schools may be reopened in the second week of February.
<h4>More: <a href="https://thestandard.newsday.co.zw/2022/01/16/mnangagwa-threatens-forced-vaccinations/">The Standard</a></h4>

ED: We Will Soon Be Stopping People On The Streets To Vaccinate Them

Harare City Council has announced that it will be conducting mobile COVID-19 vaccination and testing programme around the town. Pindula News presents the local government’s statement on the programme:
<blockquote>
The City has started conducting mobile <a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 oo9gr5id lrazzd5p" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/covid?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZUddYR2GJWNXCkS86u4Yo_YU3AEEJS5q4NU8TS8m_RWZgBsbJEiBV-9F2gKmwHlnDeuytSrhWQWz1A_bUcoUUxNLkwGMeOTSWD7gii2S05IAQJTS6XtD50UQRYfLLT1xLL6DAMIbASCTmCR4koK_5Od&amp;__tn__=*NK*F" role="link" tabindex="0">#Covid</a>-19 vaccination and testing programme scheduled as below. Let use the opportunity to get tested and vaccinated.
<table class="table table-bordered table-hover" id="table_1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.33">29/12/2021</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.55">30/12/2021</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.67">31/12/2021</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.91">Holiday inn bus terminus</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.86">Five avenue shopping centre</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.89">Gulf Market square</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.81">Mbare Msika</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.92">Mbudzi Roundabout</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.81">Mbare Musika Mutare Rank</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.45">Chitubu shops</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.82">Specimen shops</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.73">Mapuranga bus</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.62">Machipisa shops</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.34">Redchart – Gazaland</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.26">Cherima – Old Highfield</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.31">Tichagarika shops</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.85">Glenview 1 shops</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.74">Glenview 3 Shops</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.37">Ok shops – Mufakose</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.69">Gwenyambira shops</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.81">Samuriwo shops</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.4">Areno shops-Kuwadzana</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=98.79">Warren Park D – PaMereki</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.08">Kuwadzana 5 shops</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.86">Merryck Park industrial area</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=95.16">Dzivarasekwa extension</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.65">Strathaven Shops – Avondale</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.57">Groombridge – Mt pleasant</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.89">Newlands shopping centre</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.63">Pomona quarry – Hatcliffe</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.78">VID Eastlea</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=99.52">Ok Kamunhu shops</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" title="Character Accurarcy=97.75">PaMadzimai Ellen</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</blockquote>
<h2>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

FULL LIIST: Harare City Announces Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination And Testing Programme

Israel could become the first country in the world to roll out a fourth COVID-19 dose as it prepares to start offering the jabs to people over 60 and some at-risk groups and medical personnel.
On Tuesday, a government body of health experts called the Pandemic Treatment Staff, recommended that health workers, people over the age of 60 and other at-risk groups get the fourth dose.
The fourth booster dose will be administered at least four months from the third dose.
Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett welcomed the recommendation and ordered that officials prepare to roll out the extra vaccine booster. He said:
<blockquote>
This is wonderful news that will assist us in getting through the Omicron wave that is engulfing the world.
… The citizens of Israel were the first in the world to receive the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and we are continuing to pioneer with the fourth dose as well.
</blockquote>
Isreal was the first country to offer a third booster shot, rolling it out for at-risk groups before expanding the program to the general population weeks later.
More than four million Israelis have received the third dose, out of 9.3 million people.
The country’s Health Ministry on Tuesday announced that 170 new cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus had been confirmed, doubling the number of infections.
To date, there have been 341 verified Omicron cases in Israel, the Health Ministry said in a statement.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/health-ministry-panel-recommends-fourth-covid-shot-for-at-risk-groups/">The Times of Israel</a></h4>

Israel To Offer 4th Coronavirus Vaccine Jab To Over 60s, Frontline Workers

The Government is yet to establish COVID-19 vaccination sites at bus terminuses across the country weeks after Cabinet made the announcement.
Hospitals and clinics are still to start administering the booster jabs that were promised weeks ago.
Senior Hospital Doctors Association (SHDA) president Shingai Nyaguse said vaccination sites at bus termini would be convenient for some people. Said Nyaguse:
<blockquote>
Bus termini are a good area to catch people who may live too far from clinics or who haven’t been able to go to the other formal sites for whatever reason.
</blockquote>
Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike said health centres are still to administer booster jabs as they wait for a government directive. He said:
<blockquote>
It is very unfortunate that the government announcements are not matching up with the implementation on the ground just like the administration of the third dose or booster jab that was announced by President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa some two weeks ago is yet to be implemented.
Most health facilities are saying that they are still waiting for the government directive.
… We also need mobile outreach services and the use of motorbikes in rural areas and remote locations in order to address issues of vaccine equity.
Zimbabwe needs some innovative COVID-19 vaccination roll-out strategies if the country is to accelerate towards achieving the required herd immunity.
We welcomed the proposal by the government to erect vaccination posts at bus terminuses and we urge the authorities to urgently implement the programme without further delay.
</blockquote>
Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association president Johannes Marisa urged the Government not to give up on encouraging citizens to get the jab. He said:
<blockquote>
You know when you are in positions of authority, and you notice that some of the things that you want to do are not being done because of one’s ignorance and misinformation, you do everything in order to stimulate and coerce people into getting vaccinated.
</blockquote>
On 3 December the Ministry of Health and Child Care announced that it would administer booster shots to frontline workers, people with chronic diseases, and the elderly with immediate effect.
<h4>More: <a href="https://thestandard.newsday.co.zw/2021/12/19/covid-19-govt-dithers-on-vaccination-plan/">The Standard</a></h4>

Ambitious Vaccination Plan Fails To Take Off

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has warned members of the public that if vaccine uptake remains low, the Government will be left with no option but to make vaccination against COVID-19 mandatory.
Mnangagwa made the remarks on Saturday in Uzumba where he attended the memorial of the late former prisons boss Paradzai Zimondi.
Posting on Twitter this Saturday, presidential spokesperson George Charamba said the Government is targetting universal vaccination, not the initial target of attaining herd immunity. Wrote Charamba:
<blockquote>
The President urged all Zimbabweans to step forward for anti-COVID-19 jabs which the Government is administering free of charge.
He warned that if Government realised that not many people were coming forward for voluntary vaccination, Govt might have to consider mandatory vaccination in order to save lives.
Zimbabwe’s goal was universal vaccination and not the initial herd immunity targeting jabs for 60% of the population.
</blockquote>
Zimondi, whose Chimurenga name was Tonderai Nyika, alongside cabinet ministers Perrance Shiri and Joel Biggie Matiza succumbed to COVID-19 and the three were buried on the same day at the National Heroes Acre.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently warned against mandatory vaccinations unless all other options have been exhausted. 
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Zimbabwe May Consider Mandatory Vaccination - Mnangagwa

The Government says unvaccinated people will eventually be barred from boarding Zimbabwe United Passengers Company (ZUPCO) buses.
Addressing reporters on Tuesday at a post-cabinet briefing in the capital, Harare, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said a time will come when people without vaccination cards will not be allowed to use ZUPCO buses, kombis and trains. She said:
<blockquote>
A time is coming when people will not be allowed to board public transport without a valid vaccination card.
</blockquote>
Mutsvangwa, however, didn’t provide further details on when the measure would be implemented.
The announcement could be viewed as a strategy by the authorities to cajole vaccine-hesitant citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as the majority of Zimbabweans use public transport while private transport operators remain banned.
Zimbabwe is facing a resurgence of coronavirus infections, with 2 555 new cases recorded on 6 December with a 30 per cent test positivity rate according to data released by the Health Ministry.
The southern African nation is targetting to vaccinate 10 million people to attain herd immunity by the end of this year.
To date, less than 3 million people have been fully vaccinated even though the jabs are free of charge.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Govt May Bar Unvaccinated People From Using ZUPCO

Midlands State University (MSU) has imposed a mandatory vaccination policy on its students following a rise in new coronavirus infections across the country and the emergence of a new variant, Omicron.
In a notice to students dated 3 December 2021, MSU Deputy Registrar (Academic Affairs) Kudzaishe Mudzingwa said unvaccinated students will be required to take a COVID-19 PCR test twice a week.
Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) secretary-general Tapiwanashe Chiriga has condemned MSU’s mandatory vaccination policy, describing the move as discriminatory. Said Chiriga:
<blockquote>
Our position remains as it has always been. While we encourage students to get vaccinated, the right to accessible and affordable education cannot be determined by vaccination status.
</blockquote>
He warned that mandatory vaccination will only fuel the forging of vaccination cards as students try to avoid the jab while attending lectures.
The Government has hitherto desisted from imposing new restrictions in spite of a sharp rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases at the learning institutions.
Only last week more than 100 students at Masvingo Teachers’ College tested positive for the virus while at Lupane State University (LSU) 50 students tested positive for coronavirus.
<h4>More: <a href="https://cite.org.zw/msu-imposes-mandatory-vaccination-policy/">CITE</a></h4>

MSU Imposes Mandatory Vaccination Policy

The Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (ZDI) says the Government may fail to attain its target of vaccinating 10 million citizens against COVID-19 by the end of this year due to vaccine hesitancy.
The Government has imported millions of doses from China over the past several months but vaccination uptake has been slow even though the jabs are being provided free of charge.
In its latest report, ZDI focused on access to public health, assessing the likelihood of Zimbabwe achieving COVID-19 herd immunity by December. The report says:
<blockquote>
The period under review was characterised by steady growth in COVID-19 vaccination across the country.
By 31 October 2021, the country had vaccinated over 3 million people against the pandemic.
However, the increase in vaccinations still falls short of the set target of 60% herd immunity by the end of the year 2021.
By its own admission, the government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care revealed that COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out and Deployment program had, as of 31 October 2021, reached a national coverage of 38% of the targeted population.
The period between 31 October and 31 December (2 months) is realistically not enough to vaccinate the remaining 62% given that the actual vaccination rate of 38% was attained over a period between March and October (7 months).
</blockquote>
As of 5 December 2021, 3 874 694 citizens had received the first jab while 2 884 045 people had been fully vaccinated.
ZDI proposed that the Government develops a clear plan on how it is going to utilise the remaining time to vaccinate the population in order to reach herd immunity.
It urged the Government to observe its own COVID-19 rules and address the issue of health care personnel remuneration.
The organisation also challenged civil society to hold the government to account over its COVID-19 vaccination set targets.
<h4>More: <a href="https://cite.org.zw/vaccine-hesitancy-blights-zim-herd-immunity-target/">CITE</a></h4>

Low Vaccine Uptake Ruins Zim Herd Immunity Target

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has allowed governments to impose mandatory COVID-19 vaccination as the world faces the threat of a new variant, Omicron.
WHO, however, warned that governments must exhaust all measures to encourage voluntary inoculation.
The Omicron variant was recently detected in South Africa and has since been detected in other countries including Botswana, the UK, and Israel. 
In a recent audio clip, WHO head of health emergencies programme Mike Ryan said governments that wished to impose mandatory vaccination should avail the relevant information on the pandemic to enable informed choices. Ryan said:
<blockquote>
Our position in WHO is that mandatory vaccination should be only considered when the health gain that you are going to get from that is very clear and you have tried all other measures to get people vaccinated.
I still personally believe that the best way is to continue engaging with people and to continue to drive the idea of an informed choice, but there are circumstances in which the threat to society, the threat to the health system, and the threat to the economy is such that governments, having tried all other measures are able to make that decision.
This raises real issues around human rights and it’s something that governments should consider carefully, and they need to be sure that the benefits of doing this outweighs the risks and that they have done everything possible to address vaccine hesitancy and other issues, and they feel that they have no other alternative.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights secretary Norman Matara said the government can utilise community health promoters to enhance awareness on vaccines.
Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike echoed Matara’s remarks saying Zimbabwe needs to identify community vaccine champions and ambassadors.
WHO’s stance comes as a huge fraction of the world population is resisting the vaccine citing various reasons. 
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/11/mandatory-vaccination-last-option-who/">NewsDay</a>

WHO Allows Governments To Impose Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination

The Bulawayo Metropolitan Provincial Medical Director (PMD), Dr Welcome Mlilo, has dismissed as misleading a video currently making rounds on social media of a 27-year-old woman, Cleopatra Ncube, from Cowdry Park in Bulawayo who claims to have developed an adverse reaction to COVID-19 vaccination.
The woman alleged that her fingers and lower limbs dried up soon after getting jabbed with the Sinovac, a Chinese manufactured vaccine being administered in Zimbabwe.
According to the viral video, Cleopatra took the vaccine on 27 July 2021 when health officials were conducting inoculations in her neighbourhood leading to her falling sick soon afterwards.
Her condition, according to the video, deteriorated and she was taken to the hospital three days later where she was then admitted for two weeks.
However, her condition worsened and the doctors have since told her that she should get her feet and legs amputated.
Reacting to the video, Dr Mlilo said the girl in question had underlying health conditions which made her prone to dry gangrene.
He said the gangrene is caused by the chronic condition that she has and not by the vaccine.
Dr Mlilo urged the public to disregard the video and not fear the vaccines thinking they could cause gangrene. He said:
<blockquote>
I would like to set the record straight that we, first of all, have vaccinated over three million Zimbabweans using the vaccines that we have.
Of those three million people which have received the vaccine, she is the only one who seems to have developed the symptoms that she claims are from the vaccines.
The second thing I would like to clear is that I saw the patient personally, I saw her at United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH) where she came and we admitted her to the ward.
I am a surgeon and I was working at UBH as a general surgeon before I was appointed as the PMD, so I know this patient specifically and I know that she has got another chronic disease that we know predisposes her to the gangrene that she has.
</blockquote>
According to medical experts, dry gangrene may develop slowly and it occurs most commonly in people who have diabetes or blood vessel disease, such as atherosclerosis.
Gangrene happens when tissues in one’s body die after a loss of blood caused by illness, injury, or infection.
It usually happens in extremities like fingers, toes, and limbs, but you can also get gangrene in your organs and muscles.
<h4>More: <a href="https://healthtimes.co.zw/2021/11/20/health-ministry-dismisses-viral-video-of-woman-claiming-she-reacted-to-vaccine/">Health Times</a></h4>

Health Officials Dismisses Viral Video Of Woman Claiming She Reacted To Vaccine

Zimbabwe is set to achieve <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Herd_Immunity">herd immunity</a> against the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) by next month, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister John Mangwiro has said.
He said this during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Mangwiro revealed that presently almost 40 per cent of the population has been fully vaccinated, saying the vaccination of those aged 16 and 17 will be intensified. He said:
<blockquote>
I must say that by year-end. Right now, we are almost at 40 per cent, because the last two weeks we were at 38 per cent.
… In the same vein, we have said as Government, those between 16 and 17 can now be vaccinated and most of them are our Form Four to Upper Six students.
These make up a large number of our population – we all know that Zimbabwe’s population is mainly the young ones.
So, we are out to vaccinate these young people within the shortest space of time, maybe in the next two to three weeks, we are going to schools to vaccinate them on site.
</blockquote>
In April this year, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who also doubles as Minister of Health and Child Care, said the country aims to achieve 60 per cent herd immunity from COVID-19 with the vaccination of 10 million people by the end of 2021.
So far, 3 422 734 people have received their first doses of mainly the Chinese Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines.
2 678 090 of those vaccinated have received both jabs since the vaccination programme was launched in March this year.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-zim-to-achieve-herd-immunity-by-december">The Sunday Mail</a></h4>

Zimbabwe To Achieve Herd Immunity By December - Mangwiro

Sex workers have been urged to get vaccinated against the coronavirus as the nature of their profession makes it impossible to observe physical distancing protocols thereby putting them at risk of contracting the deadly virus.
Speaking in an interview with NewZimbabwe.com, Sexual Rights Centre (SRC) Executive Director Musa Sibindi said sex workers should prioritise their health because sex involves physical contact. She said:
<blockquote>
Actually, for sex workers, the key message is that the very nature of the work they do as sex workers is a contact type of activity.
So, there is no way they will actually engage with their clients wearing masks and can constantly be sanitizing and social distancing.
With that kind of work, observance of COVID-19 prevention protocols becomes a challenge.
So, it is incumbent upon them to actually to take the responsibility of their health and get vaccinated.
I know the major challenge then would how they can be fully empowered to negotiate for their safety with certain clients because even the very places they operate from like bars, the kind of social activities happening there you find people let down their guard in terms of even masking and sanitizing.
</blockquote>
Sibindi also urged all sexually active citizens to be vaccinated, saying they are also vulnerable to the disease. She said:
<blockquote>
So at least, we are saying sex workers and all of us as citizens should get vaccinated because I believe sex is not just happening among sex workers only but all of us adults are consenting to sexual activities.
We need to take responsibility and make sure that we get vaccinated.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/get-the-covid-jab-sex-workers-urged/">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

Sex Workers Urged To Be Vaccinated Against Coronavirus

The Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has advised teachers who are yet to be vaccinated against the coronavirus to report for duty on Monday (tomorrow), as usual.
In a statement, PTUZ president Takavafira Zhou said teachers should not listen to “unsubstantiated utterances” by some government officials that those who have not received COVID-19 vaccines will be barred from their workplaces on Monday. Said Zhou:
<blockquote>
We have read in the press and from unsubstantiated utterances by government officials that non vaccinated civil servants must stop reporting for work forthwith.
As PTUZ we encourage teachers to be vaccinated but by no means should such encouragement be misconstrued for mandatory vaccination, but voluntary vaccination.
The quandary over the issue of vaccination is that there was never an engagement between government as employer and civil servants representatives (employees), particularly teacher unions. The order is therefore a unilateral declaration by the government.
</blockquote>
He said according to standard operational procedures, education officials should communicate directly with the unvaccinated teachers and order them to stop coming to work. Added Zhou:
<blockquote>
In terms of standard operational procedures, unvaccinated teachers must continue to report for work until they receive communiques specifically in their names informing them to stop coming for work. Verbal instructions from school heads are invalid.
</blockquote>
Zhou, who is also a senior MDC Alliance official, said school heads should compile lists of all unvaccinated teachers at their respective schools, capture the reasons for non-vaccination and send them to districts for onward conveyance to province, Head Office and the Public Service Commission (PSC) and wait for formal instructions from these respectable offices.
The deadline for civil servants to get vaccinated lapsed last Friday with indications that the government would terminate contracts of those that have not been fully vaccinated.
Public Service Minister Paul Mavima said civil servants with genuine reasons for not being vaccinated will be given time to get jabbed.
Health Ministry Secretary, Jasper Chimedza, said that unvaccinated civil servants would be sacked as per some provisions of Statutory Instrument 234 of 2021.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.voazimbabwe.com/a/zimbabwe-vaccination-government-mandate/6273972.html">VOA News</a></h4>

Teachers' Union Urges Unvaccinated Members To Report To Work

The government has said civil servants who defied the government’s order to get vaccinated should not report for duty starting Monday and they will not get their salaries and allowances.
Public workers were given until 15 October to get vaccinated but some chose not to or could not be vaccinated.
COVID-19 chief co-ordinator in the President’s Office, Agnes Mahomva said a gazette of September 17 was effective and was not meant to punish, but to protect the general public. She said: 

<blockquote>
Everybody is following Statutory Instrument 234 of 2021 and legally, that is what is binding everyone. So, whether there are any other decisions that come later but for now, everybody is bound by the law.
People might appeal, talk about this and so on but within the timelines of the law, that is what is on the ground now. It’s like saying someone should have a licence, but have someone saying he or she is appealing not to have one.
</blockquote>
Information permanent secretary Nick Mangwana said the civil servants who refuse to be vaccinated would be subjected to disciplinary action. He said: 

<blockquote>
D-Day for civil servants (as) today is the deadline for civil servants to get vaccinated or be barred from the workplace and not get paid while so barred.
Those who refuse to be fully vaccinated shall be subject to disciplinary action for refusing to obey a lawful instruction.
</blockquote>
But civil servants described the move as grossly unfair.
Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions secretary-general David Dzatsunga described the move as victimisation. <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/10/08/courts-cannot-overturn-govt-measures-meant-to-curb-covid-19-judge/">Local courts recently ruled that they won’t reverse a Cabinet decree meant to curb COVID-19.</a> 

Last month, the government said it would force unvaccinated civil servants and teachers to resign in a bid to ramp up the uptake of COVID-19 jabs.
Over 2.4 million people are fully vaccinated against a set target of 10 million. 
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/10/unvaccinated-civil-servants-fired/">NewsDay</a>

Government Speaks On Dismissal Of Unvaccinated Civil Servants

Zimbabwe’s average weekly COVID-19 vaccination rate last week fell to its lowest since July, raising fears that the country could fail to vaccinate 60% of the population needed to attain herd immunity by year-end and be ravaged by the fourth wave of coronavirus infections.
Government data showed that since the vaccination programme started in mid-February this year, 2.312 million, about 15.6% of the population, had been fully inoculated by 3 October.
The average number of people who got their first doses peaked at around 37 000 per day in mid-July when the country was in the middle of the third wave but dropped to less than 10 000 per day in recent weeks.
Health experts said the public had become complacent, disregarding COVID-19 protocols.
Speaking to NewsDay, COVID-19 national taskforce chief co-ordinator Agnes Mahomva had this to say:
<blockquote>
We will never give up working towards achieving our ambitious target of vaccinating 60% of our population by year-end.
It is, however, determined by a number of factors such as the willingness of the public to take the vaccine.
As long as the public is not willing to get vaccinated, then we will not reach the number we are targeting.
The other issue is that reaching herd immunity depends on the availability of the vaccines.
However, the government remains committed to ensuring that it avails vaccine doses at any given time so that people get vaccinated.
</blockquote>
Community Working Group on Health executive director Itai Rusike said the falling vaccination numbers was because of poor strategic planning. Said Rusike:
<blockquote>
The current vaccination strategy lacks focus on people and the community.
The issue of misinformation and lack of trust in the community with respect to COVID-19 vaccines and even the pandemic itself needs to be tackled by carrying out a sustained COVID-19 health literacy at the community level to dispel myths about vaccines so that we can increase vaccine uptake by building community confidence and acceptance.
</blockquote>
He urged people to get vaccinated ahead of the fourth wave expected to hit the country in December.
Medical and Dental Private Practitioners of Zimbabwe Association president Johannes Marisa called for a massive awareness campaign to encourage voluntary vaccination.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe was listed among the 15 African countries that have achieved the World Health Organisation set target to fully vaccinate 10% of their populations by September this year.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/10/covid-19-vaccination-rate-tumbles/">NewsDay</a></h4>

COVID-19 Vaccination Rate Falls

Members of Parliament from across the political divide on Wednesday challenged the government’s recent decision to ban unvaccinated civil servants from reporting for duty.
The legislators described the move as an infringement on citizens’ rights, but Higher and Tertiary Education minister Amon Murwira representing the government defended the Cabinet’s decision arguing “extra-ordinary times require suspension of the Constitution”.
The government on Tuesday announced that its workers, who are not yet vaccinated, will no longer be allowed to report for duty.
The announcement came a week after Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi ordered civil servants who did not want to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to resign.
Parliament has also ordered unvaccinated lawmakers to stay at home, an order that triggered anger among the legislators who described the prohibition order as an affront to democracy.
Mutare West MP Teedzayi Muchimwe (ZANU PF), who is a member of the Johanne Marange apostolic sect, said the directive was unfair to him and others who do not believe in vaccination. Said Muchimwe:
<blockquote>
Is it now mandatory that the COVID-19 vaccination is now compulsory in view of the fact that there are other entities that do not indulge in medication?
… COVID-19, to me and the Johanne Marange apostolic sect, is just a drop in the sea, we are not even affected.
Since this COVID-19 started, we have been kissing each other and shaking hands, we are not even affected by COVID-19. Why deny us entry into Parliament?
</blockquote>
Dzivarasekwa MP Edwin Mushoriwa (MDC Alliance) described the ban as a gross violation of citizens’ rights. He said:
<blockquote>
By putting restrictions on those unvaccinated or those that are unvaccinated because of religion or other views, the government is in a way setting the wrong precedence for it is actually encroaching into the rights of individuals?
</blockquote>
Murwira responded by saying that there were limits to people’s constitutional rights, hence there was no turning back on the order. Murwira said:
<blockquote>
It is, therefore, very important and I want to thank you Hon Speaker for not allowing any member who is not vaccinated to come to this House physically.
So to clarify the issue, it is very important that the people who are not vaccinated stay where they are while those ones who are vaccinated can interact while social distancing.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/09/mps-govt-cross-swords-over-forced-vaccination/">NewsDay</a></h4>

MPs Challenge Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

France has suspended around 3 000 health workers who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, the country’s Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Thursday.
The development comes a day after the country made vaccination mandatory for all healthcare and care home workers.
The French government imposed the rule to boost vaccination uptake and help prevent a new wave of infections in the autumn that might jeopardise the country’s economic recovery.
Veran told French RTL radio, “Most of the suspensions are only temporary … many of them have decided to get vaccinated as they see that the vaccination mandate is a reality.”
According to local daily Nice Matin, nearly 450 health workers have been suspended in a hospital in the city of Nice, in southern France.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/around-3000-health-workers-suspended-france-over-vaccination-minister-2021-09-16/?taid=614310f650c9ed00013095e7&amp;utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=twitter">Reuters</a></h4>

France Suspends 3 000 Unvaccinated Health Workers

The Ministry of Health and Child Care on Friday said the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) gave conditional authority for the vaccination of children, that is, those who are between the ages of 14 and 17. The Ministry said in a statement:
<blockquote>
The condition is that the Ministry of Health and Child Care shall conduct a Phase Three clinical trial first before rolling out the vaccination, and the ministry is in the process of implementing the MCAZ conditions and once that is complete, the rollout will begin.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is now extending the vaccination campaign to teenagers from 14 to 17 who were not previously catered for in the initial plan after scientists agreed it was safe to vaccinate this age group.
Several countries have already started to vaccinate children against COVID-19, with France now offering vaccinations to all over-12s.
More than 2 million French children, roughly 40% of the 12-17 age group, had received the first shot by 4 August this year.
In Italy, the Pfizer vaccine was authorised for 12- to 15-year-olds in late May, with bookings across most regions beginning in July, and in the final week of July the Moderna jab was approved for 12- to 17-year-olds.
In the US, about 40% of 12- to 17-year-olds had at least one vaccine dose by the first week of August.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/teenagers-set-to-get-jabs/">The Herald</a>, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/04/which-countries-are-vaccinating-minors-against-covid">The Guardian</a></h4>

Teenagers To Be Vaccinated Against COVID-19

Pacific 24hr Hospital in Mabvuku has embraced the government’s vaccination drive against COVID-19 by offering the service to members of the public.
This comes after the government in July invited the private sector to take part in the inoculation program for the country to achieve herd immunity by December this year.
Participating private health institutions will be required to report daily statistics to provincial medical directors and city health directors, as well as report any adverse events after the jab.
Pacific 24hr Sister in Charge (SIC), Ludia Matani told BusinessMail that the hospital joined other private sector health centres in the vaccination programme last Thursday.
The hospital is offering the vaccine at a small administration tariff of $2 which caters for transport, fuel and logistics. Said Matani:
<blockquote>
Everyone is free to visit Pacific 24hr Hospital without any discrimination.
</blockquote>
Pacific 24hr Hospital is vaccinating people from 8:00hrs to 15:00hrs every day.
<h4>More: <a href="http://businessmail.co.zw/covid/covid-19-vaccine-now-available-at-pacific-24hr-hospital/">BusinessMail</a></h4>

Pacific 24HR Hospital Now Offers COVID-19 Vaccination

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government has challenged all government workers who are not willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to resign.
According to local radio station ZiFM Stereo, the government says all civil servants who are not willing to get vaccinated must resign so that they do not expose others to the coronavirus.
The station reported Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi who is also the leader of government business, as saying the move was to ensure everyone’s safety.
Ziyambi reportedly made the comments during a Mashonaland West Provincial COVID-19 Taskforce meeting in Chinhoyi. <a href="https://twitter.com/ZiFMNews/status/1435114674798870530">The station said:</a>
<blockquote>
The government says all civil servants who are not willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 must resign so that they do not expose others to the virus.
The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Ziyambi Ziyambi says this will ensure everyone’s safety.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Vice President and Health Minister Constantino Chiwenga recently warned citizens that public places will not be accessible to those who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 once Government relaxes strict movement conditions under lockdown level 4.
Speaking in Buhera where he was touring Dorowa, a phosphate mine on Sunday, the former army commander said:
<blockquote>
As the Minister of Health and Child Care, I will make sure that vaccination certificates will be required for people to access public places although we have relaxed a few things.
I, therefore, encourage people to be vaccinated as it will be difficult to enjoy services when lockdown measures are relaxed.
We will allow you to watch soccer, watch cricket and enjoy food in a restaurant but you will be required to produce a vaccination certificate. We will not allow you to enter public places without a vaccination certificate.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

COVID-19: Minister Says Unvaccinated Civil Servants Must Resign

Unscrupulous health professionals are making a killing from selling COVID-19 vaccination cards to employees, university and college students desperate to get admitted back to various learning institutions reports The Independent.
Several tertiary institutions across the country now require students to be either fully vaccinated or be in possession of a valid PCR test result taken 48 hours prior, to be allowed entrance to university or college campuses.
Investigations by the publication last week revealed that the vaccination cards are being sold for between US$15 and US$20 each.
The cards will also be having all the required details including the type of vaccine administered, its batch number, and dates where the vaccinated person allegedly took the jab.
Students argue that while those selling them are making a killing, the price is financially viable considering the charges for a PCR test.
Laboratories are charging US$30 for a PCR test while others like Cimas require US$60 for the same test.
The vaccination card selling syndicate appears tightly knit involving a web of officials from bureaucrats in the Ministry of Health and Childcare to those in charge of operations at vaccination centres.
The Zimbabwe Independent reported a source in the Ministry of Health and Child Care as saying that the practice is rampant in the health department. Said the source:
<blockquote>
So rampant is the practice that even those not really connected within the system are also partaking in it. However, many of these ‘unfortunate’ ones are sloppy and end up getting arrested.
These are the individuals you write about in your papers when they are picked up by police, giving a façade that people are serious about dealing with the problem when in actual fact they are the ones who are fuelling it for their selfish benefit.
</blockquote>
Chief coordinator of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Office of the President and Cabinet Agnes Mahomva said she was not in a position to comment on the issue. Said Mahomva:
<blockquote>
You need to talk to the Ministry of Health and Child Care because what you are inquiring about is an administrative issue.
As a task force, we have various sub-committees we work with that are responsible for dealing with COVID-19 related issues and these are headed by different ministries.
The one you made reference to is best dealt with by a subcommittee headed by the Health ministry.
</blockquote>
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that hundreds of vaccinations cards went missing at various health centres across the country.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2021/09/03/covid-19-vaccination-cards-find-way-onto-black-market/">Zimbabwe Independent</a></h4>

'Compulsory' COVID-19 Jabs Creates Vaccination Card Barons

The Ministry of Health and Childcare is planning a massive COVID-19 vaccination drive targeting the 14 to 17 age groups after Cabinet recently adjusted the age groups eligible to receive the jab.
In a memo dated 1 September 2021, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Childcare Air Commodore (Dr) Jasper Chimedza directed all Provincial Medical Directors (PMDs) to compute the target population in the 14 to 17 age groups for the Phase 3 Clinical Trial with the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine ahead of the rollout. The memo read:
<blockquote>
RE: SINOVAC COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR THE 14 TO 17 YEARS AGE GROUPS
Reference is made to the above subject matter.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care with recommendations from the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe [MCAZ) has resolved to conduct a (Phase 3 Clinical Trial) vaccination of the 14 to 17 years children with the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine.
You are hereby requested to urgently compute the target population of this age group in your respective provinces in preparation for the above exercise.
Your cooperation in this regard will be greatly appreciated.
</blockquote>
Government recently ordered schools to reopen, with virtually all pupils unvaccinated while just over 5 per cent of teachers have been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to teachers’ unions.
As a result, there are fears that schools could become coronavirus super spreaders and hasten the COVID-19 fourth wave.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Massive COVID-19 Vaccination Drive For 14 To 17 Age Group On The Cards

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has appealed to the Ministry of Health and Child Care to have a dedicated programme to vaccinate teachers and eligible students.
This comes after concern has been raised on whether all teachers had been vaccinated, with examination classes resuming lessons this Monday and the rest resuming classes on 6 September.
Education Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo on Sunday said his Ministry cannot coerce teachers to be vaccinated as vaccination was at the moment being done voluntarily. He said.
<blockquote>
Government policy at the moment is that vaccination is voluntary and all we can do is encourage them to get vaccinated but we can’t force them.
We appeal to the Ministry of Health to have a dedicated programme to vaccinate teachers and eligible students.
Eventually, all teachers will get vaccinated because there will come a time when parents won’t want their children to be taught by teachers that are not vaccinated.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, last week the government said intercity travel would be allowed for the period when pupils would be going back to school.
Coach and Bus Operators Association (CBOA) chief executive officer Aleck Kautsiro yesterday said about 90 per cent of bus crews have been vaccinated to limit the spread of the virus while transporting learners.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/hot-seating-tents-to-decongest-classes/">Chronicle</a></h4>

"Eventually, All Teachers Will Get Vaccinated"

Some unemployed youths have said they are unmoved by threats of sanctions on unvaccinated people saying they have no access to formal spaces even before the imposition of sanctions.
In recent weeks, government officials and some companies have been threatening sanctions on the unvaccinated.
In February, during the commissioning of the Gwayi-Shangani dam pipeline, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said no one will be forced to be vaccinated adding “but there will come a time, <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/02/26/mnangagwa-those-who-arent-vaccinated-wont-get-jobs/">if you are not vaccinated you will not be able to get a job.”</a> He added:
<blockquote>
If you are not vaccinated you will not be able to board a Zupco bus. Eventually, you will have to decide for yourself.
</blockquote>
In July, the government-sanctioned unvaccinated civil servants from work, denying them special COVID-19 allowances while denying them access to subsidised Zupco transport to state employees.
The government has been moving towards mandatory COVID-19 vaccination as panic sets in over soaring COVID-19 cases and fatalities.
However, unemployed 29-year-old Arthur Chimombe of Bulawayo is unmoved. Chimombe said:
<blockquote>
In any case, the sanctions on the unvaccinated civil servants do not affect me. I am unemployed, and have not received any support from the government; financial or otherwise. 
</blockquote>
Chimombe says his decision to vaccinate or not is not going to be influenced by what seemingly looks like mandatory COVID-19 vaccination, but by his desire to save himself from infection.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) health services director, Edwin Sibanda, says the council has no ready aggregated statistics on the number of youth, employed and unemployed who have been vaccinated.
Sibanda, however, indicated that “the uptake is not as good as we expected.” 
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/08/21/zctu-sues-several-companies-over-forced-vaccinations/">(ZCTU)has sued companies,</a> including government parastatals, that ordered workers to take the Covid-19 vaccines – or risk losing their jobs.
More: <a href="https://www.thecitizenbulletin.com/index.php/forced-vaccinations%E2%80%99-no-incentive-for-youths.html">The Citizen Bulletin</a>

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