Bulawayo Provincial Medical Director Dr Maphios Siamuchembu has encouraged residents to get vaccinated against Covid-19 in order for the country to achieve herd immunity.
The PMD made these remarks at the official launch of the Covid-19 vaccination campaign initiated by faith-based leaders at Methodist Church in Makokoba, Friday, hosted by the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance.
The initiative is a church led inter-faith national covid-19 response in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Provincial Covid-19 Task Force teams and the Department of Social Development Services.
The government embarked on a vaccination drive targeting to vaccinate at least 60 percent of the total population.
Dr Siamuchembu, in his presentation, emphasised the need to adhere to Covid-19 prevention measures, citing that the existing vaccines have been scientifically proven to be effective in reducing the severity of the disease.
“The government intends to have vaccinated at least 60 percent of the total population in Zimbabwe and to date, the number of vaccinated people is far from herd immunity,” he said.
Dr Siamuchembu gave assurance that to date, there haven’t been any deaths or severe cases reported of side effects caused by the vaccines administered in the country.
Making reference to the case of the Cowdray Park woman who alleges to have reacted to the Covid-19 vaccine, Dr Siamuchembu said the condition she has is not at all related to the Covid-19 vaccine.
“The fear of side effects has stopped people from getting vaccinated. To date there has not been any deaths or severe side effects that have been recorded,” he said.
“I am aware of the condition of the lady from Cowdray Park. I am a surgeon by profession and I can assure you that the condition she has is not linked to Covid-19 vaccine.”
Minister of State for Bulawayo Province Judith Ncube commended the efforts being made by the faith based leaders in encouraging people to get vaccinated.
She said the slow uptake of Covid-19 vaccines by communities poses a risk of having more new cases getting recorded.
The campaign launch was attended by church leaders, traditional leaders and members of the Muslim community.
