Zim procuring additional 6,3 million cholera vaccines
ZIMBABWE is procuring an additional 6,3 million cholera vaccines to consolidate the success of the initial 1,7 million doses which significantly slowed down and ameliorated the cholera outbreak.
The Government has also embarked on an extensive programme to improve hygiene, water provision and waste disposal to beat back the disease.
So far, 90 percent of those targeted to receive the first consignment of 1,7 million vaccines have been vaccinated with Harare having 73,4 percent of the targeted population vaccinated so far as the Ministry of Health and Child Care used that initial delivery in the hotspots.
The cholera outbreak has not been confined to Zimbabwe as 667 000 cases and 4 000 deaths were recorded between December 2022 and December last year across SADC. This wide swathe of infection means that vaccine demand has impacted production and so Zimbabwe’s extra doses can only be supplied from April.
Speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting in Harare, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said Government would continue making stringent efforts to mitigate the spread of the disease through a range of successful measures.
Ongoing control measures include the distribution of water treatment chemicals at the point of use, training of water point committees, demonstrations on handwashing, setting up of oral rehydration points, engagement with the religious leadership and raising awareness and health education campaigns.
“The Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, updated Cabinet on the cholera outbreak situation and the response. As at February 13, Zimbabwe’s cumulative suspected cholera cases were 24 332.
“Also by February 13 the country had administered 1 585 327 doses of the 1 712 017 that the country has received so far. The targeted provinces have a coverage of more than 90 percent, while Harare has 73,4 percent. Vaccination is still continuing in Harare.
“Furthermore, efforts are already underway to procure an additional 6,3 million vaccines in order to cover additional hotspots,” said Dr Muswere.
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