Zimbabwe will over the weekend receive half a million doses of Covid-19 vaccines procured from China, Information Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said Tuesday.
This comes at a time when the country is experiencing a surge in Covid-19 infections and deaths.
Zimbabwe authorised the use of Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines both from China, Covaxin vaccine from India and Russia’s Sputnik.
Yesterday the country recorded 519 new infections and six Covid-19 deaths.
Speaking during a post cabinet media briefing, Tuesday Mutsvangwa said there were arrangements to procure two million doses of Sinovac vaccine from China.
“On procurement of Covid-19 vaccines, the Cabinet is pleased to report that arrangements are currently in progress to procure two million doses of Sinovac vaccines from China,” said Mutsvangwa.
“These are expected in the country by the end of month. Furthermore, 500 000 doses of vaccines are expected to be delivered this Saturday 26th June, 2021.”
She said the next priority areas of vaccination would be the remaining border posts which includes Forbes, Chirundu and Kariba, current hotspots, tobacco auction floors and people’s markets such as Renkini in Bulawayo, Mbare Musika in Harare and Sakubva in Mutare.
“The Grain Marketing Board staff and Cottco staff as well as the Hwange population will also be included in the vaccination programme,” said Mutsvangwa.
Meanwhile, as at 22 June 2021, 2 157 people received their first dose bringing cumulative for first dose to 706 158 while 3 369 received their second dose bringing cumulative for second dose to 440 220.
Of the 519 new cases recorded yesterday, Mashonaland West had the highest number of new cases of 228.
The Midlands recorded 65 new Covid-19 cases, Harare recorded 62, Masvingo 44, Bulawayo 33, Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland North both recorded 24 new cases each, Manicaland 22, Mashonaland East 12 and Matabeleland South five.
The six people who succumbed to the global pandemic were from Midlands (4), Bulawayo (1) and Mashonaland Central (1).
