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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) is conducting a second phase of the Covid-19 vaccination outreach programme in Matabeleland.

The programme started on Monday in Bulawayo and will end next Friday in Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South.

As part of the ZDF community outreach week, held during the first week of August, the defence forces roll out some of their community assistance programmes to communities.

Two weeks ago, ZDF rolled out the Covid-19 vaccination exercise programme to complement the Ministry of Health and Child Care in vaccinating citizens.

Following a successful outreach programme at the beginning of the month, ZDF has deployed staff to vaccinate members of the public who require the second dose.

The military deployed staff members to centres where it conducted the first vaccination drive.

The Bulawayo outreach programme ended yesterday while the one for Matabeleland North and South is expected to end next week.
Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube yesterday said: “The city of Bulawayo in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the ZDF will be conducting a community outreach Covid-19 vaccination programme in Cowdray Park-Hlalani Kuhle Consortium Office and Emganwini (Food 4 Less Shopping Centre) for dose two of Sinovac,” said Mr Dube.

In a statement yesterday, 1 Infantry Brigade public relations officer Captain Almost Mthembo said the Matabeleland North and South programmes are set to commence on Monday.

“The Headquarters 1 Infantry Brigade will be conducting a roll out of the Covid-19 vaccine second jab to the people who got the first jab during the ZDF week where the army joined the health staff in the vaccination process in Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces,” read the statement.

“The programme runs from 23 August 2021. The vaccination process will be a mobile one where the vaccinating teams will be moving from point to point. Some of the centres are as follows: Matabeleland North, Tsholotsho Centre, Mhlabangubo Primary, Jane Business Centre, Mathe, Mbamba Clinic, Mbalibali Primary School and Nkayi Gwelutshana and in Matabeleland South, Gwanda Ntepe and in Madlambuzi in Bulilima.”

ZDF recently said it was important to complement Government in the vaccination programme so that the country achieves herd immunity.

The country is targeting to vaccinate at least 60 percent of the population to reach herd immunity.

Nations that have reached herd immunity have started to reopen their economies as witnessed in Britain where even soccer supporters have returned to stadia.

Government recently said fully vaccinated citizens can start attending church services. -@nqotshili