ZHRC speaks on COVID-19 vaccination roll out programme

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission continues to monitor the protection, promotion and enjoyment of human rights in the context of the ravaging new COVID-19 strain and acknowledges efforts by government to contain the spread of the virus through various restrictive measures.

As such, it is the obligation of duty bearers to ensure that its citizens are protected especially during public health emergencies. The ZHRC commends government for the COVID-19 vaccination roll out programme which was initially met with resistance in some quarters but has gradually been embraced by the generality of citizens and commended by the World Health Organisation as a well-co-ordinated programme.

The commission acknowledges the initiative of testing and vaccinating frontline workers. However, a number of media platforms have raised concern over corporations that are coercing employees to undergo vaccination, disregarding the employees’ freedom of choice, integrity of the person, right to dignity and existence of underlying medical conditions. Some public institutions and private companies are allegedly denying unvaccinated employees access to their workstations and others are having their salaries deducted.

While the ZHRC is aware that vaccination is for the general protection of the individual’s rights to health and life, government is urged to continue encouraging citizens to consider being vaccinated since vaccination is both a personal and national responsibility for the protection of personal health as well as the health of others. It is the duty of government to balance the need for increased vaccination in order to reach herd immunity with freedom of choice.

Government has taken a commendable policy position to allow free choice by individuals with regards to uptake of the COVID-19 vaccines. It is, therefore, important for all stakeholders to avoid any coercive measures that directly or indirectly compel people to get vaccinated against their choice.

It is important to be guided by the World Health Organisation (WHO) guiding principles which posit that vaccination programmes must not be made compulsory but should be a matter of choice.

The ZHRC is concerned about the non-accessibility of the vaccines in some areas and urges that efforts be made to ensure that vaccines are availed within close proximity of the populace especially in remote rural areas.