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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu/Blessing Karubwa, Chronicle Reporters
VACCINATION of teenagers aged 16 and 17 against Covid-19 has started in Bulawayo after Government approved the inoculation of the age group with the Sinovac vaccine recently.

Schools and tertiary institutions have been urged to roll out vaccination campaigns targeting this age group.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care said it has approved the vaccination of those aged 16 and 17 and was conducting tests on the eligibility of vaccinating other minors.

Vaccination reduces the risks of succumbing to Covid-19 by 90 percent.

Government is targeting to have vaccinated 10 million people by next month in order to attain herd immunity.
In order to achieve this target Government has ensured undisrupted supply of vaccines at various vaccination points across the country.

Herd immunity is achieved when most of the people are immune to an infectious disease. This provides indirect protection to those who are not immune.

In a statement Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube said the vaccination programme for teenagers which was already underway will be conducted at municipal clinics, central hospitals, Mater Dei Hospital, all secondary schools and outreach points.

Council is undertaking the programme in conjunction with Ministry of Health and Child Care as well as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

He said the exercise started last week on Monday.

“Based on the available scientific data in line with the Medicines Control Authorities of Zimbabwe guidance, the specialists have recommended the vaccination of those aged 16 and 17 with the Sinovac vaccine,” he said.

In an interview, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson, Taungana Ndoro said learning institutions have embraced the vaccination programme.

He urged learners within the age group to get vaccinated to prevent and manage the spread of Covid-19 in schools.

Mr Ndoro also urged parents and guardians of learners in the age group to encourage their children to be vaccinated for their safety, the safety of other learners, the safety of their families and communities.

“Despite the record speed at which they have been developed, Covid-19 vaccines have been subjected to the same checks, balances, scientific and regulatory rigour as any other vaccine,” he said.

Health experts recently urged people to get vaccinated and not be misled by the drop in daily infections that are being recorded and relaxation of the lockdown as the fourth wave could hit the country anytime.

This follows a concern over the low uptake of the Covid-19 vaccines recorded in the past few weeks.

The country still has a long way to go to attain herd immunity whose target is end of next month.

Bulawayo health services director Dr Edwin Sibanda said vaccines were available but there were now few takers. He said this was probably because the population which was keen on getting vaccinated had been catered for.

Health and Child Care Deputy Minister, Dr John Mangwiro said it was important for people to get vaccinated as the fourth wave could hit anytime. He said when the lockdown was relaxed people relaxed to get vaccinated yet the Covid-19 pandemic was still here and could continue until 2023 to 2024.

Dr Mangwiro said the pandemic had become even more vicious than when it started. He said Government has roped in various stakeholders to go to the ground and educate people on the need to get vaccinated. He said vaccination outreach programmes were still ongoing and were also targeting hard to reach areas. — @DubeMatutu