The government is now banking on the vaccination of the 16 to 17-year-olds set to be soon rolled out to reach its ambitious herd immunity target of inoculating 10 million citizens, approximately 60% of the population, by year-end.
As at 10 November, a total of 3 408 610 have received their first jab while the figure for those fully vaccinated stands at 2 669 749, an indication the country has still a long way to go to get to 10 million before December 31.
Responding to a question from MDC-T vice president, Dr Thokozani Khupe in Parliament Wednesday on whether the country was on track to reach its herd immunity target, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister, Dr John Mangwiro said the vaccination of children would help Zimbabwe achieve that.
“Right now we are almost at 40% because the last two weeks we were at 38% and now we are almost at 40%,” said Mangwiro
“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 a large number of our population – we all know that Zimbabwe’s population is mainly the young ones.”
He said the massive vaccination of young people would begin in the next two to three weeks at schools across the country.
“As usual, our outreach programmes are still very effective and they are all out in full force,” said Mangwiro.
“We have been holding meetings with Provincial Ministers, PMDs, church leaders, traditional leaders and everyone involved so that we target and reach our herd immunity this year-end. Also, the vaccines are plenty-some; we still have enough to get us there.
He further said: “Next week, we are expecting to receive another million additional vaccines, which means we are on course. Every week, we have something prepared, bought by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development where we are expecting delivery. So I implore Members of the House to also go out in full force with us, be it Hon. Senators, Members of Parliament and Ministers, to make sure we achieve the herd immunity that we want, of 60%”.
