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United States (U.S.) soldiers who refuse to get a COVID-19 vaccine will be immediately discharged, the U.S. Army said on Wednesday, saying the move was critical to maintaining combat readiness.
The Army’s order applies to regular Army soldiers, active-duty Army reservists and cadets unless they have approved or pending exemptions, it said in a statement.
The discharge order is the latest from a U.S. military branch removing unvaccinated service members amid the pandemic after the Pentagon made the vaccine mandatory for all service members in August 2021.
The vast majority of all active-duty troops have received at least one dose. Roughly 79 uniformed military personnel across the different services have died from the novel coronavirus. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said:
<blockquote>
Army readiness depends on soldiers who are prepared to train, deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars. Unvaccinated soldiers present risk to the force and jeopardize readiness.
</blockquote>
Other branches of the U.S. military, including the U.S. Air Force, have already begun to remove those who have chosen not to receive COVID vaccines, which were first authorized for emergency use in December 2020.
There has been reluctance in some quarters, worldwide, to take the vaccine amid scepticism over its efficacy.
More: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-army-discharge-soldiers-who-refuse-covid-19-vaccine-2022-02-02/?utm_medium=Social&amp;utm_source=twitter">Reuters – </a><a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-army-discharge-soldiers-who-refuse-covid-19-vaccine-2022-02-02/?utm_medium=Social&amp;utm_source=twitter">Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Tim Ahmann and Mark porter</a>

Pindula News

U.S. Army To Immediately Discharge Soldiers Who Refuse To Get COVID-19 Vaccine

Nigerian preacher, Pastor Chris has sensationally claimed that vaccinated people are spreading the coronavirus adding that health experts are aware of it.
Pastor Chris discouraged members of the public from getting vaccinated adding that they were not vaccines anyway but gene therapy that is unfortunately in an experimental stage.
He said those taking the vaccines are described in one of Pfizer’s internal reports as participating in an experiment.
Pastor Chris said God sent him to warn the people not to take the vaccine. Watch the video below for more.
<div>
<video controls="controls" height="240" preload="metadata" width="426"><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PASTOR-CHRIS-VACCINATED-PEOPLE.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PASTOR-CHRIS-VACCINATED-PEOPLE.mp4</a></video></div>
His remarks come as Zimbabwean preacher Emmanuel <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/watch-this-covid-19-vaccine-is-not-the-mark-of-the-beast-makandiwa/">Makandiwa has urged followers to take the vaccine</a> saying it was not the mark of the beast as others are saying.
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw">Pindula News</a>

WATCH: Vaccinated People Are Transmitting The Virus - Pastor Chris

The President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said an African-made COVID-19 vaccine will be ready in 1 and a half years as the process has since started.
He was speaking during the opening of the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2021 that is scheduled to run from Sun, Jun 27, 2021, through the 30th of June, 2021.
He called upon developed nations to assist with raw materials if they are sincere about helping Africa saying the continent will be paying for those resources.
Museveni castigated the donor syndrome in Africa saying the continent has the potential to stand up and be counted if it was not dependent on aid and handouts from sympathisers.
In resonance with renowned economist Dr Dambisa Moyo who in her book Dead Aid alleged aid was bad for Africa, Museveni said donations were hamstringing Africa’s growth as member states were not initiating the processes of establishing solutions to their own problems waiting for outsiders to come.
He added that pandemics, despite their adverse impact, were good in that they were awakening Africans who have until now been dependent on the first world for entirely everything.
Museveni hinted that the coronavirus might stay forever saying there is always a new variant that pops up that will be resistant to vaccines produced.
Watch the video below for more.
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 432px;">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="240" id="video-208234-1" preload="metadata" width="432"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/MUSEVENI-VACCINE-PRODUCTION-1.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/MUSEVENI-VACCINE-PRODUCTION-1.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/MUSEVENI-VACCINE-PRODUCTION-1.mp4</a></video></div>
More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw">Pindula News</a>

African-Made COVID-19 Vaccine Ready In 1 & Half Years - Museveni

Studies have shown that COVID-19 vaccines do not harm fertility, contrary to concerns spread on social media that people who receive the jabs may find it hard to procreate.
According to a new study published Thursday in JAMA, sperm count and quality did not drop in healthy young men after receiving a first or second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Said Dr David Cohen:
<blockquote>We now have evidence that should reassure you that the risk of immunization compromising your sperm count is extremely low.</blockquote>
Cohen, co-medical director of the Institute for Human Reproduction in Chicago, was however not involved in the study.
Cohen was the co-author of a systematic review that found the novel coronavirus is not sexually transmitted.
Allan Pacey, professor of andrology at the University of Sheffield in the UK, who also was not involved in the study, said:
<blockquote>This is reassuring data that suggests that sperm quality is not significantly altered by receiving two doses of one of the new mRNA vaccines for COVID-19.</blockquote>
The study used semen samples from 45 men between the ages of 25 and 31, who were pre-screened to make sure they had no fertility issues.
Samples were taken before the first shot of an mRNA vaccine, then 70 days after the second dose.
Semen was then examined to determine sperm volume, concentration, motility and total sperm count.
Study author Dr Ranjith Ramasamy, director of male reproductive medicine and surgery at the University of Miami Health System, said:
<blockquote>We found no changes in sperm parameters in the young healthy men that we studied who received both doses of mRNA vaccine.</blockquote>
The study did not test the Johnson &amp; Johnson or AstraZeneca vaccines, which are not based on mRNA platforms. But Dr Ramasamy added:
<blockquote>However, we think the mechanism of how these vaccines work is all fairly similar despite different genetic material, so based on biology, we don’t think there should be anything different with the other two vaccines.</blockquote>
Additional larger studies with men of different ages are needed to affirm the study’s results, Pacey said.
While the vaccine had no impact on male sperm in the study, the virus itself could be harmful to the male reproductive tract, according to a small study published in January.
Compared to healthy men without COVID-19, the study found a significant increase in inflammation and oxidative stress in sperm cells belonging to men with COVID-19.
Their sperm concentration, mobility and shape were also negatively impacted by the virus.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/06/sperm-count-not-harmed-by-covid-19-vaccine-study-says/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

COVID-19 Vaccines Do Not Harm Sperm Count - Study

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has dismissed reports that suggested that COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility in both women and men saying they are mere conspiracy theories and false unscientific claims.
Despite Zimbabwe launching its national COVID-19 vaccination program in February this year, there has been low uptake of the vaccine owing to vaccine hesitancy largely due to widespread misinformation and conspiracy theories.
In an interview with HealthTimes, Dr Lincoln Charimari, the World Health Organization (WHO) Zimbabwe COVID-19 Response Manager said there was no evidence at the moment which shows that vaccination against COVID-19 causes infertility.
<blockquote>Before any new vaccine is deployed, it is thoroughly studied through clinical trials. These trials then provide evidence for the efficacy (effectiveness) and safety of the vaccine. So the decisions to deploy any vaccine, including the COVID-19 vaccines in informed by available evidence. As more people get vaccinated, more evidence comes to light.
There is no evidence at the moment that vaccination against COVID-19 causes infertility in women. There is also no evidence that it causes impotence in men. However, the clinical trials have not included pregnant women to date so the vaccine is not recommended in this group of people until more evidence of its safety in pregnant women becomes available. This is why women are asked of pregnancy before the vaccine is administered.</blockquote>
Dr Charimari added that the COVID-19 vaccine is for persons aged 16 years and above. This is because the under 16s have not been part of the clinical trials and evidence for vaccine safety in this group is not yet adequate.
He said vaccinated people can still get infected by the coronavirus but the vaccine reduces the mortality probability. Dr Charimari said:
<blockquote>You can get COVID-19 after vaccination just like you can get an accident while putting on a seat belt or you can get pregnant while using contraceptive. What the vaccine do is protect against development of severe disease and significantly reduces one’s risk of dying. It also reduces the risk of being hospitalized. People at high risk of contracting COVID-19 or developing severe disease are usually prioritised for vaccination.</blockquote>
He added that the vaccines give the individual immunity that protects against severe disease and death and if enough people in a population are vaccinated (more than 60%) then the population develops herd or population immunity.
More: <a href="https://healthtimes.co.zw/2021/04/12/covid-19-vaccines-dont-cause-infertility-says-who-zimbabwe/">Health Times</a>

WHO Addresses Reports Saying COVID-19 Vaccines Cause Infertility

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has created a platform where citizens can share side effects they may have experienced after getting the Covid-19 vaccine.
Zimbabwean will be vaccinated with either the Sinovac, Covaxin or Sinopharm vaccines. Whilst there has been no official reported cases of side effects from the Covid-19 vaccine, Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights secretary Norman Matara <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/03/19/second-vaccine-dose-might-trigger-severe-side-effects-expert/">warned the public that the second Sinopham jab might trigger severe side effects</a>. Matara however allied any fears and said the side effects will resolve on their own and said:
<blockquote>The side effects are self-limiting and resolve on their own usually within a few days. There is no danger to life anticipated. We advise the public to participate in the national vaccination programme as vaccination of individuals has been proved to be an effective way of eradicating pandemics.
These vaccines go through various stages of clinical trials before approval and are safe and effective. We need to get vaccinated in order for us to return to normalcy.</blockquote>
MCAZ has made available an online pharmacovigilance platform to share any side effects one may have after getting the vaccine. Those that have experienced side effects after receiving the vaccine can report online <a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/i6DyPUwWoX?amp=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" role="link" target="_blank">http://e-pv.mcaz.co.zw</a> or download the MCAZ app on Android or iOS.
More: <a href="https://twitter.com/PHILA_ZW/status/1378402425606967296">PHILA on Twitter</a>

Zimbabwe's Medicines Regulator Creates Covid-19 Vaccine Side Effects Sharing Platform

Zimbabwe’s <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Mthuli_Ncube">Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube</a> has said the Southern African country is planning to <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zim-procures-zwr80m-worth-medical-supplies/">procure one million</a> doses of COVID-19 vaccines every month.
The country has since received more than one million doses from China and India some of which are donations and authorities are already administering the vaccines. We present Minister Ncube’s statement below.
PRESS STATEMENT ARRIVAL OF AN ADDITIONAL 1,056,000 DOSES OF COVID-19 VACCINES PROCURED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE
<blockquote>
<ol>
<li>The Government of Zimbabwe has mobilised USD100 million towards the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines to cover a significant portion of the population in order to achieve herd immunity.</li>
<li>I am pleased to announce that Government has this week received 1.056,000 doses of Covid -19 vaccines purchased from China which are being made available to Zimbabwe Citizens free of charge at designated vaccination centres.</li>
<li>Going forward. the country will be receiving about 1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines per month from additional purchases aimed at reaching the herd immunity target</li>
<li>We are further pleased to acknowledge an offer from DHL International for concessionary tariffs that the company has offered for the shipment of vaccine consignments under an arrangement that will ensure the timeous and safe delivery of vaccines to the country.</li>
<li>Govemment also acknowledges and appreciates the broad support so far received from the private sector and is committed to ensure that all these partnerships are deepened for the National Good.</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>Hon. Prof. Mthuli Ncube
Minister of Finance and Economic Development
01 April 2021</blockquote>

FULL TEXT: Zimbabwe Aiming To Buy 1m COVID-19 Doses Monthly

14 885 People have received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination as of yesterday 31 March 2021. This was revealed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care in a report that stated that 76 995 people have received the first dose of the vaccine so far.
The same report also noted that 43 people are currently hospitalised due to the novel coronavirus:
<blockquote>As of 30 March 2021 @1500 hrs, there are 43 hospitalises cases, Assymptomatic 9, mild to moderate 20, severe 11, and 3 in Intensive Care units.</blockquote>
The report also noted that the country’s 2 deaths yesterday were recorded in Bulawayo and Matabeleland North recorded the highest number of recoveries, recording 40 of the country’s 50 recoveries in 24 hours.

COVID-19 Vaccinations Reach 15 000

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has claimed that there are local companies who approached the government seeking permission to import and sell COVID-19 vaccines.
He made the remarks while addressing hundreds of ZANU PF supporters who were gathered in Bulawayo for the commissioning of the Epping Forest Water Supply Augmentation Project for Bulawayo and the ground-breaking ceremony of the Gwayi-Shangani-Bulawayo pipeline project in Nyamandlovu, Umguza District, Matabeleland North yesterday.
The president indicated that the Chinese President Xi Jinping through his ambassador to Zimbabwe told him that the country was donating an additional 200 000 Covid-19 vaccines to Zimbabwe, bringing the total donation to 400 000 doses. 
He reiterated that although some companies made an attempt to import and sell COVID-19 vaccines, the vaccines were not for sale. He said:
<blockquote>
The Ministry of Health supported by (Finance Minister Professor Mthuli) Ncube also bought two sets yesterday, 600 000 doses which will come during the first two weeks of March and another 1,2 million doses.
There are so many companies that have come forward who want to import the vaccines and sell them, we have said no. If any company buys vaccines, they must be distributed freely.
</blockquote>
President Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to China for the donation of vaccines saying procurement plans of other vaccines from India and Russia were at an advanced stage.
He urged the nation to remain vigilant in the fight against Covid-19 and to keep on observing measures that were put in place to curb the spread of the virus. 
Zimbabwe has started implementing the vaccination programme which is aimed at vaccinating the majority of the population.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/president-cabinet-ready-to-take-covid-19-jab/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Herald</a>

Companies Move To Import And Sell COVID-19 Vaccines

The Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro has said the government doesn’t need to conduct a further study on Sinopharm the vaccine that was delivered from China because extensive research local and international to verify its effectiveness was conducted, Newsday reports.
According to the publication, Dr. Mangwiro was addressing the senate when he said:
<blockquote>Before it is administered on people, we have what we call the World Health Organisation which writes to confirm that yes, this vaccine does work, and for example, to see how it works, it can be administered on a sample of five or ten healthy young men.
We can have university students being experimented on to see how this vaccine works. What we have now in the country is a vaccine that has been dealt with already
They have studied it fully. We cannot continue to do further studies on the vaccine, we have what we call Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe that has the mandate to look at issues related to this.  They do extensive research on such matters to obtain full details of how the vaccine works.  They even reach out to countries as far as Chile, countries that would have volunteered to do such experiments,</blockquote>
Mangwiro who is a medical doctor by profession also told parliamentarians that the vaccine was safe for <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/02/21/people-with-chronic-conditions-should-take-the-covid-19-vaccine-deputy-health-minister/">people living with chronic conditions</a> but said breastfeeding and expectant mothers were not supposed to take the vaccine. Concerns that the vaccine should not be taken by people living with chronic conditions have been raised which were dismissed by Mangwiro.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/02/no-need-for-further-studies-on-chinese-vaccine-govt/">Newsday</a>

Govt Says Sinopharm Doesnt Need Any Further Research

World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative Dr. Alex Gasasira has urged the government to let the public be aware of the issues concerning the COVID-19 vaccine that came from China, The Herald reports.
In an interview with the publication, Dr Gasasira said
<blockquote>Our organisation’s recommendations to countries is to ensure that the process of introduction of Covid-19 vaccines is done in a manner that it encourages wide discussions with all stakeholders to address and ensure that everybody gets the information they need.</blockquote>
This comes after concerns were raised that people living with <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/02/16/chinese-corona-vaccine-not-for-people-with-chronic-conditions/">HIV and other chronic conditions were not supposed to take the vaccine</a>. Deputy Minister of Health however said it is safe to take the vaccine even if you have a chronic condition.
Meanwhile, another public health expert Dr. Murewanhema has urged different stakeholders to educate the public about the vaccines and urge them to be vaccinated:
<blockquote>Vaccines do not change the personality of an individual, but they are designed to protect individuals from acquiring infections that cause diseases.
Vaccines have brought substantial gains to our population over the years. We have all received vaccinations against diseases like tuberculosis, measles among others and there is no way these vaccines are going to alter your DNA or change your personality</blockquote>
The country is expected to take the delivery of 600 000 doses from China next week.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/step-up-vaccine-awareness-who/">The Herald</a>

WHO Urges Zimbabweans To Spread Awareness About Issues Surrounding The COVID-19 Vaccine

The government of Zimbabwe has no adequate resources to purchase the much-needed COVID-19 vaccine, The Standard reports. This was reportedly revealed by a senior Ministry of Finance and Economic Development official who told the Standard that donors are arm twisting the government into buying their vaccines because the government has no money to purchase the vaccines.
Said the treasury official who refused to be named:
<blockquote>Government has no money, it simply set a budget of US$100 million and will mobilise. The government is being arm-twisted by donors because it does not have the money.
After purchasing 600 000 doses from China from the 1.8 million doses, the country will now need to mobilise money to pay for the remaining 1.2 million doses to be delivered in phases depending on availability of resources</blockquote>
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/01/29/we-have-set-aside-us100-million-for-the-covid-19-vaccine-mthuli-ncube/">last month said the government was setting aside $100 million</a> to purchase the COVID-19 vaccine and the government was aiming to vaccinate 10 million people to achieve herd immunity by next year.
More: <a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/2021/02/21/concerns-zim-being-arm-twisted-into-covid-19-vaccine-deals/">The Standard. </a>

Zimbabwean Government Has No Money To Purchase The COVID-19 Vaccine - Finance Ministry Sources

Investigations done by The Standard and the Information for Development Trust (IDT) have revealed that Zimbabwe could have been given the 200 000 free doses by Sinopharm a Chinese state-owned entity on condition that the country would buy 1,8 million more doses, The Standard reports.
The shady deal was reportedly negotiated by a government team that comprised of acting Foreign Affairs minister Amon Murwira, head of the Covid-19 taskforce Agnes Mahomva and Health and Child Care deputy minister John Mangwiro, and security sector representatives.
A government official privy to the negotiations said:
<blockquote>China’s offer was accompanied by a condition that the donation translates to 10% of what Zimbabwe would buy from Sinopharm In the deal, China simply said, we give you 200 000 vaccines as a donation, that should be 10% of what you are going to buy from us. That means Zimbabwe will get two million Sinopharm doses</blockquote>
A Finance Minister Insider has also said the same thing will happen with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine which is being favored by the government on the basis that it is said to be efficient when it comes to dealing with the South African variant:
<blockquote>Johnson &amp; Johnson will donate 50 000 jabs and in response, the country will buy one million vaccines from them</blockquote>
Russia is believed to be offering the same to the government in negotiating for the Russian vaccine:
<blockquote>Russia offered its Sputnik V vaccine after China, and has also given conditions we give you (some for free), and then you pay for other vaccines
The demands are the same as those made by China, but how much to buy is still under negotiation.</blockquote>
Government sources also said the same MO was used by India, which donated 75 000 doses on condition that Zimbabwe will buy one million doses.
The Deputy Minister of Health Dr. John Mangwiro however denied reports that these donations have conditions attached to them and said:
<blockquote>There is nothing like that. We were simply given a donation and no conditions were attached. We are going to buy from China what we want and that is why we are also negotiating with Russia for the Sputnik V vaccine.</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is expected to <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/02/11/first-batch-of-the-covid-19-vaccine-to-come-on-15-february-govt/">receive 600 000 doses from China</a> next week.
More: <a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/2021/02/21/concerns-zim-being-arm-twisted-into-covid-19-vaccine-deals/">The Standard </a>

Broke Zim Govt Being Arm Twisted By Vaccine Manufacturers - Report

Zim Rights, a human rights organization has started a #WhereAreOurVaccineszw movement on social media in a bid to try and compel the government to announce a COVID-19 vaccine roll-out plan.
Zim Rights is calling for President Mnangagwa to show Zimbabwe the government’s plan when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine:
<blockquote>Dear Pres. Mnangagwa, Show us the plan! We demand action now from the Gvt on a Covid-19vaccine roll out plan!
<ol>
<li>Do The Research</li>
<li>Publish The Plan</li>
<li>Open Contracts</li>
</ol>
We need vaccines for everyone.Vaccines Are Our Right. <a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhereAreOurVaccineszw?src=hashtag_click" role="link">#WhereAreOurVaccineszw</a> Minister Mthuli Ncube says one thing while Pres. ED says the opposite! The nation has been thrown in a state of confusion. Lives are continually lost. We demand action now from the Govt on a Covid-19 vaccine roll out plan!</blockquote>
Zim Rights is imploring the government to be transparent first on the roll-out plan and second on the vaccine procurement procedure:
<ul>
<li>Do The Research – the Government must do the due diligence to ensure the correct Covid-19 vaccines are bought.</li>
<li>Publish The Plan – The government must publish a clear &amp; transparent blueprint for vaccine distribution that reaches the most vulnerable and at risk.</li>
<li>Open Contracts – Transparency on all contracts, financing for, and distribution of the vaccines.</li>
</ul>
<img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-196320 size-full" decoding="async" height="1080" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Vaccines-ZimRights.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Vaccines-ZimRights.jpg 1080w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Vaccines-ZimRights-300x300.jpg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Vaccines-ZimRights-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Vaccines-ZimRights-150x150.jpg 150w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Vaccines-ZimRights-768x768.jpg 768w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Vaccines-ZimRights-60x60.jpg 60w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Vaccines-ZimRights-90x90.jpg 90w" width="1080"/>
 
The movement by Zim Rights has already been picked up by the MDC Alliance which said they are supporting the initiative
Meanwhile, the government has said <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/02/11/first-batch-of-the-covid-19-vaccine-to-come-on-15-february-govt/">200 000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be received on Monday 15</a> February while 600 000 doses will be in the country in the first week of March but there is no rollout plan yet.

Show Us The Plan - As Zim Rights Starts #WhereAreOurVaccineszw

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said life in Zimbabwe “can only” return to normality when the majority of Zimbabweans has been vaccinated.
The president remarks come as businesses and members of the public have been <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/business-lobby-govt-for-extension-of-operating-hours/">pushing for a return to normality</a> to avoid a total collapse of the economy and to cushion citizens from the bumps of life.
President Mnangagwa also speaks when the country is expected to roll-out its COVID-19 vaccination programme following the donation of vaccines by China and Russia.
The donations are expected to complement Zimbabwe’s efforts to acquire jabs enough to vaccinate the majority of the population to attain herd immunity.
<a href="https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/articles/achieving-herd-immunity-with-covid19.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health</a> notes that when most of a population is immune to an infectious disease, this provides indirect protection or herd immunity (also called herd protection) to those who are not immune to the disease.
Posting on Twitter on Thursday, President Mnangagwa also expressed gratitude to China and Russia for their donations. He said:
<blockquote>Life can only return to normality once the majority of Zimbabweans have been vaccinated. This is the ultimate goal. Thank you to both China and Russia for their donation of COVID-19 vaccines to the people of Zimbabwe. Your generosity during this dark time will not be forgotten.</blockquote>
<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/china-donates-200k-covid-19-vaccine-doses-to-zim/">China donated 200 000</a> jabs while Russian diamond producer <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/ALRS:RM" title="Company Overview">Alrosa PJSC</a> has pledged to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-10/russian-diamond-giant-to-donate-vaccines-to-angola-zimbabwe" rel="noopener" target="_blank">buy and donate “dozens of thousands” of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccines to Zimbabwe.</a>
The donations come after the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development had announced that Zimbabwe had raised about USD100  million for the procurement of the vaccine.
Zimbabwe is currently under a coronavirus-induced lockdown which was re-imposed at the start of the year following a spike in new coronavirus cases and deaths.
Reports suggest that the country’s humanitarian crisis worsened during the lockdown.
More: <a href="https://twitter.com/edmnangagwa/status/1359759330816499712" rel="noopener" target="_blank">President Emmerson Mnangagwa</a>

Mnangagwa: Life Can Only Return To Normality Once Majority Has Been Vaccinated

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said life in Zimbabwe “can only” return to normality when the majority of Zimbabweans has been vaccinated.
The president remarks come as businesses and members of the public have been <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/02/10/business-lobby-govt-for-extension-of-operating-hours/">pushing for a return to normality</a> to avoid a total collapse of the economy and to cushion citizens from the bumps of life.
President Mnangagwa also speaks when the country is expected to roll-out its COVID-19 vaccination programme following the donation of vaccines by China and Russia.
The donations are expected to complement Zimbabwe’s efforts to acquire jabs enough to vaccinate the majority of the population to attain herd immunity.
<a href="https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/articles/achieving-herd-immunity-with-covid19.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health</a> notes that when most of a population is immune to an infectious disease, this provides indirect protection or herd immunity (also called herd protection) to those who are not immune to the disease.
Posting on Twitter on Thursday, President Mnangagwa also expressed gratitude to China and Russia for their donations. He said:
<blockquote>Life can only return to normality once the majority of Zimbabweans have been vaccinated. This is the ultimate goal. Thank you to both China and Russia for their donation of COVID-19 vaccines to the people of Zimbabwe. Your generosity during this dark time will not be forgotten.</blockquote>
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/02/04/china-donates-200k-covid-19-vaccine-doses-to-zim/">China donated 200 000</a> jabs while Russian diamond producer <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/ALRS:RM" title="Company Overview">Alrosa PJSC</a> has pledged to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-10/russian-diamond-giant-to-donate-vaccines-to-angola-zimbabwe" rel="noopener" target="_blank">buy and donate “dozens of thousands” of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccines to Zimbabwe.</a>
The donations come after the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development had announced that Zimbabwe had raised about USD100  million for the procurement of the vaccine.
Zimbabwe is currently under a coronavirus-induced lockdown which was re-imposed at the start of the year following a spike in new coronavirus cases and deaths.
Reports suggest that the country’s humanitarian crisis worsened during the lockdown.
More: <a href="https://twitter.com/edmnangagwa/status/1359759330816499712" rel="noopener" target="_blank">President Emmerson Mnangagwa</a>

Local health experts have urged the government to first establish the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines against regional variants of the disease before acquiring the jabs.
This comes after South Africa temporarily halted the rollout of AstraZeneca vaccines after data indicated that the vaccines gave minimal protection against mild-to-moderate infection caused by the country’s dominant coronavirus variant.
Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) president, Enock Dongo said the government should invest part of the US$100 set aside for the purchase of vaccines in research to determine the local coronavirus strain. He said:
<blockquote>It is important to realise the fact that when vaccines are manufactured, they are targeting the variant that was first discovered when the pandemic broke out.
They are meant for people’s bodies to resist that variant. So, what this means is that the more a virus changes its characteristics, the less efficient the vaccine can become.</blockquote>
Senior Hospital Doctors Association (SHDA), secretary-general, Aaron Musara, said health authorities should prioritise genetic typing of the local variants, before accepting vaccines. He said:
<blockquote>News coming out of South Africa shows that some vaccines are less efficient against the new variant.
This is not to say that vaccines have become useless but highlights the importance of local surveillance.
In this regard, we urge the Ministry of Health and Child Care to prioritise genetic typing of the local variants, before accepting vaccines which have not been tested in our region.</blockquote>
Meanwhile, the director for epidemiology and disease control in the ministry of Health, Portia Manangazira, said vaccines could be effective despite the coronavirus continuously changing its characteristics.
<h4>More: <a href="https://dailynews.co.zw/be-on-guard-on-corona-vaccines-experts-warn-govt-after-sa-fiasco/?fbclid=IwAR1aqbbiaDM8VZZ2FyEjOabe520xBljpR4bq3YgTTI59uncj8aUkbM8T-rY" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Daily News</a></h4>

Health Experts Urge Govt To Be Vigilant On Covid Vaccines

Statement by ZimRights after High Court Judge Justice Felistus Chatukuta ruled that the application to compel the Government to provide a COVID-19 National Deployment Vaccination Plan was not urgent.
<blockquote>Zimbabweans Deserve a Clear and Comprehensive and Publicly-Funded Vaccination Plan, not Bold Slogans
10 February 2021
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Information Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday, 9 February 2021, announced during a post-cabinet briefing that the Cabinet had approved guidelines for the COVID-19 vaccination programme.
The so-called guidelines are a far cry below what ZimRights has demanded of the government in fulfilment of its Constitutional obligations to protect the right to life and the right to health.
ZimRights has approached the High Court demanding a comprehensive vaccine roll-out plan including details of the budget allocations. Throwing figures that have no source and details of how it is meant to work does not amount to a plan.
Slogans and declarations do not amount to a plan. Propaganda responses to issues of life and death only show culpable negligence on the side of our national leadership.
In November 2020, the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights issued a Statement on universal and equitable access to vaccines for COVID-19 in which it emphasised that every person has the right to have access to a safe and effective vaccine.
In the statement, the Committee gives further guidance on what the right to health, in the context of COVID-19 entails. The right to health requires States to make health facilities, services, and goods, including vaccines, available, accessible, acceptable, and of good quality.
Vaccines for COVID-19 must not only be produced and made available, says the Committee. They must also be accessible to all persons without discrimination.
The right includes ensuring that there is adequate investment in the health services infrastructure, public awareness and measures to combat disinformation.
This is in line with both the African Charter and our Constitution. Art. 16 of the Charter places an obligation on all state parties to take all necessary measures to protect the health of their people and to ensure that they receive medical attention when they are sick.
S 76 of the Constitution provides for the right to health. Section 29 of the same Constitution creates an obligation on the state to take reasonable measures to ensure everyone achieves access to health services.
Access to a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19 is therefore a human right for all Zimbabweans.
The health of a nation must be a matter of high priority for any government. Leaving this task to the benevolence of donors and well-wishers is grossly immoral and outrageous. So far, that appears to be the government’s plan.
In order to avert a great catastrophe caused by the government’s abdication of its constitutional obligations, ZimRights will leave no stone unturned. Today ZimRights will file an appeal against the decision of Justice Chatukuta.
Beyond the local legal system, other avenues will be explored to ensure that the right to life and health is protected.
ZimRights calls on the people of Zimbabwe not to tire in demanding tangible action from the government.</blockquote>

ZimRights Appeals High Court Ruling On COVID-19 Vaccination Plan

The Health and Child Care deputy minister John Mangwiro on Tuesday said that the government will provide the COVID-19 vaccine free of charge and only those willing will receive the jab.
He also said the country will use structures already in place that have been used previously for other vaccination programmes such as against poliomyelitis. Said Mangwiro:
<blockquote>The vaccine will be free of charge and only those willing will receive it, but we strongly urge people to take the vaccine.
We already have structures that we have previously used for other vaccination programmes like polio, and these are still in place.
We will need a lot of data. We will also collect blood to check for antibodies to COVID-19 in the participants, and also to check if they had the disease at the time of the test.
We need people to be ready to give the information which will also be critical when getting the second dose, which is administered around 30 days after the first dose.</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa told a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare that the country plans to vaccinate 10 million people.
She said Zimbabwe has already accepted a donation of 200 000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines from China, which are expected in the country by the 15th of February.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/02/we-dont-know-what-vaccine-to-buy-govt/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

COVID-19 Vaccine Won't Be Forced On Anyone - Mangwiro

The Finance Minister has urged private citizens and the private sector willing to help the government purchase the vaccine to do so and provided the accounts to be used by the willing donors.
The Finance Minister touched a storm this week when he said <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/02/03/mthuli-ncube-pvt-citizens-to-pay-for-covid-19-vaccines/">private citizens were to pay for the vaccines</a> before he said his comments were taken out of context.
Ncube also emphasised that vaccines purchased by the government will be given to citizens free of charge in the following statement:
<blockquote>1. Following constructive engagements between the Government, Private Sector and well-wishing Citizens, in the procurement of COVID19 vaccines, Government welcomes and appreciates the offer by the private sector to complement Government’s resource commitment by contributing its own resources towards the effort. 
2. It is in this context that Government is announcing this broader private sector initiative to the corporate sector, citizens and other well-wishers to contribute financially and or otherwise towards the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines. 
3. Donations and contributions for this initiative can be sent directly to the following National Disaster Fund accounts and Mobile Wallets:-
Account Name: National Disasters Fund Account
<ul>
<li>CBZ 21537300057 USD</li>
<li>CBZ 21537300077 ZAR</li>
<li>CBZ 21537300047 ZWL</li>
</ul>
MOBILE NETWORK BILLER CODES Account Name: National Disasters Fund Account
<ul>
<li>BILLER CODE ECONET 140286</li>
<li>TELECEL 216732</li>
<li>NETONE 094178</li>
</ul>
4. It should however be emphasised that ALL Vaccines purchased through the Government of Zimbabwe will be made available to Zimbabwean Citizens FREE OF CHARGE. 
5. Government fully acknowledges and appreciates the support and co-operation so far received from the private sector and is committed to ensure that these partnerships are deepened for the National Good.
Hon. Prof. Mthuli Ncube Minister of Finance and Economic Development 05 February 2021
<img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-195717 size-full" decoding="async" height="960" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 727px) 100vw, 727px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mthuli-Vaccines.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mthuli-Vaccines.jpg 727w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mthuli-Vaccines-227x300.jpg 227w" width="727"/><img alt="" class="alignnone wp-image-195716 size-full" decoding="async" height="960" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 725px) 100vw, 725px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mthuli-Ncube.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mthuli-Ncube.jpg 725w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Mthuli-Ncube-227x300.jpg 227w" width="725"/></blockquote>

FULL TEXT: Private Sector, Willing Citizens Can Continue Donating Funds To Purchase The Vaccine - Mthuli Ncube

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has thanked the People’s Republic of China for donating 200 000 doses of its COVID-19 vaccine to Zimbabwe.
Addressing the nation on Thursday, President Mnangagwa said:
<blockquote>I express heartfelt and sincere gratitude to the President of the People’s Republic of China, HE XI Jinping and people of China for their kind donation of 200 000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. This kind gesture attests to the fact that China is indeed a true friend of Zimbabwe.</blockquote>
He also said Zimbabwe has set aside funds to procure the COVID-19 vaccine. He said:
<blockquote>Government has set aside the requisite financial resources for the purchase of vaccines. Government will also partner the corporate world and other players in the procurement of Covid19 vaccines and related consumables.
A National Vaccine Deployment Framework has been finalised. The initial objective is to inoculate at least 60 percent of the population. First phase of inoculation will see frontline workers, the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions being prioritised.</blockquote>
The development comes as Zimbabwe is mobilising resources to procure the COVID-19 vaccine amid reports that China and Russia have since made offers to the Southern African country.
President Mnangagwa’s remarks echo those of George Guvamatanga, the Finance secretary who said Zimbabwe has mobilised about US$100 million for the purposes of procuring the COVID-19 vaccine.
He added that the treasury is waiting for health experts to identify the vaccine that is “better” compared to all which are being developed globally.
More: <a href="https://twitter.com/InfoMinZW/status/1357359187592966145" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Ministry of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services</a>

China Donates 200K COVID-19 Vaccine Doses To Zim

Traditional healers in South Africa have asked their government to be included in the first vaccine rollout meant for frontline workers, SABC News reports.
The Southern African Development Community Traditional Health Practitioners Association leader Professor Mbayimbayi Hlathi reportedly said about 80% of South Africans visit traditional healers which make them frontline workers in their own sense:
<blockquote>We are calling to be in the first group to be vaccinated because the Constitution has put us in the Department of Health.
We are not working for the department, but we are with them. In South Africa, about 80% of people see traditional practitioners.
The traditional practitioners see lots of clients and with COVID-19, how can you leave the traditional practitioners behind?</blockquote>
South Africa received the first batch of the vaccine on Monday and according to the Minister of Health, the vaccine is meant for frontline workers and the rest of the vaccine will be refrigerated awaiting a rollout plan by the South African government.
The South African government is yet to respond to the traditional healers on their request.
More: <a href="https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/traditional-healers-want-to-be-included-in-first-rollout-of-vaccines/">SABC News</a>

South Africa's Traditional Healers Ask To Be Included In The Vaccination Of Frontline Workers

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<div dir="auto" lang="en">Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube has told state-controlled media that some Zimbabweans will be required to pay for Covid-19 vaccination. </div>
<div dir="auto" lang="en">His remarks come as the Southern African country is expecting to take delivery of its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines from the People’s Republic of China. He said:</div>
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<div dir="auto" lang="en">Look, private citizens obviously would have to pay for the vaccines.</div>
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<div dir="auto" lang="en">Mthuli Ncube added that the payment is meant to enable the government to “recoup” costs of procurement.</div>
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<div dir="auto" lang="en">Ncube said “some groups” would be vaccinated for free. However, he did not specify the groups.</div>
<div dir="auto" lang="en">Recently, Ncube and George Guvamatanga, the permanent secretary in the Ministry he leads, announced that <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/audio-zimbabwe-mobilises-usd100m-for-covid-19-vaccine/">the country had mobilised about US$100 million for the purposes of procuring COVID-19 vaccine.</a></div>
<div dir="auto" lang="en">This is happening when the country is experiencing a coronavirus resurgence which has seen new cases and deaths rising at an aggressive speed.</div>
<div dir="auto" lang="en">Some members of the public are already complaining about the cost of getting tested for COVID-19 with some saying the procedure should be for free since the World Health Health Organisation and other stakeholders, donated testing kits to Zimbabwe.</div>
<div dir="auto" lang="en">Some say Ncube must define “private citizens” in relation to the laws of the land and also tell the “role of the government in times like these.”</div>
<div dir="auto" lang="en">More: <a href="https://twitter.com/NewsHawksLive/status/1357017448030081025" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsHawks</a></div>
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Mthuli Ncube: Pvt Citizens To Pay For COVID-19 Vaccines

The South African President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday during a live national address took the time to debunk social media reports that the country will vaccinate South Africans only.
Ramaphosa said everyone living in South Africa will be vaccinated despite their immigration status when he said:
<blockquote>We all want to be free of this disease. We all want to be safe, and for those we love to be safe.
We aim to make the vaccine available to all adults living in South Africa, regardless of their citizenship or residence status.
We will be putting in place measures to deal with the challenge of undocumented migrants so that, as with all other people, we can properly record and track their vaccination history.
It is in the best interests of all that as many of us receive the vaccine as possible.</blockquote>
Ramaphosa also debunked other social media reports that people will be forced to take the vaccination and said:
<blockquote>But I want to be clear. Nobody will be forced to take this vaccine. Nobody will be forbidden from travelling, from enrolling at school, or from taking part in any public activity if they have not been vaccinated.
Nobody will be given this vaccine against their will, nor will the vaccine be administered in secret.
Any rumours to this effect are both false and dangerous.</blockquote>
South Africa <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/02/02/covid-19-vaccine-will-not-be-compulsory-ramaphosa-to-south-africans/">yesterday received their first batch</a> of the COVID-19 vaccine and Ramaphosa said it will go to the frontline workers first.
Source: <a href="http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/newsletters/statement-president-cyril-ramaphosa-progress-national-effort-contain-covid-19-pandemic#overlay=admin/content/simplenews">The Presidency Of The Republic Of South Africa </a>

We Will Vaccinate Everyone Living In South Africa Regardless Of Their Citizen Or Residence Status - Ramaphosa Dismisses Mkhize's Remarks

South Africa’s Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize has said South African nationals only will receive COVID-19 vaccines when the country starts the rollout process.
He made the remarks as the country expects to take delivery of its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines which were procured from India.
Mkhize also said the vaccination will be voluntary. Millions of foreign nationals from across Africa and yonder reside in South Africa and are likely to miss out on the vaccine. He said:
<blockquote>No one will be forced to vaccinate. Actually, we will promote it, we will explain for people to know it’s beneficial and we would like people to take their own decision on that and when you take the vaccine you sign consent so it’s clear that you consented to it.
All you need when you go is to show that you have got an ID. You are a South African registered voter. For those who are undocumented, we are not able to deal with that because at the moment we would like to be able to deal with people based on the SA registration. So at this point, we have no plan to deal with those that are not documented.</blockquote>
While there has been a reduction in COVID-19 admissions in a number of provinces including Gauteng and the Western Cape, South Africa remains the most affected African country.
Mkhize said about 70 percent of the total population needs to be vaccinated to weather the coronavirus storm.
More: <a href="https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/only-south-african-citizens-to-receive-vaccine/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SABC News</a>

We'll Only Vaccinate South Africans - Mkhize

Zimbabwe has mobilised US$100 million for the procurement of Covid-19 Vaccines, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Development, George Guvamatanga said. Guvamatanga said that would be enough to inoculate more than 60% of the population. He added that the government was just waiting for the experts to advise on which is the best Vaccine for us and our circumstances. Watch the video below for more.
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AUDIO: Zimbabwe Mobilises USD100M For COVID-19 Vaccine

Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has said the government is targeting to vaccinate 10 million or 60% of Zimbabwe’s population which according to him will be herd immunization. According to Professor Mthuli Ncube, the government has set aside $100 million for the 10 million doses.
Ncube was speaking during an interview with The Anchor when he said:
<blockquote>We have set aside a minimum of US$100 million equivalent for the vaccine and the way we have calculated is we are assuming the cost of US$5 a shot and multiply that by TWO as each person will get TWO shots.
We are targeting 10 million citizens which is about the herd immunity [and] is about 60 percent of the population.
We have adequate resources, mobilized adequate resources in our budget to be able to meet the cost of the vaccine. All options are on the table, we are negotiating with China, India and Russia.</blockquote>
He also spoke about the government’s efforts to fight the pandemic and said they have used over ZWL $25 Billion for different reasons during the pandemic:
<blockquote>Since March last year we have used ZWL25 Billion and it has been spread right across different aspects namely to cover the risk allowances of health workers and other frontline workers. It covered the upgrade of health facilities and also there have procurement of other materials, drugs, PPEs among other things we need to fight this pandemic.</blockquote>
A Ministry of Health official has said <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2021/01/25/mps-frontline-workers-ministers-to-be-vaccinated-first-govt/">vaccines will be administered to ministers, MPs, Frontline workers, and security</a> forces first when they are eventually available.
More: <a href="https://www.theanchor.co.zw/zim-to-20-million-doses-of-covid19-vaccine/">The Anchor</a>

We Have Set Aside US$100 Million For The COVID-19 Vaccine - Mthuli Ncube

Opposition MDC-T has urged the government to immediately finalise plans regarding the procurement and rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The call is made when the Southern African country is experiencing a coronavirus resurgence which is believed to have been fuelled by complacency and the emergency of a new aggressive variant that was first detected in South Africa.
In a statement that was a direct response to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address Saturday, MDC-T spokesperson Witness Dube said:
<blockquote>The MDC calls on the government to immediately finalise plans regarding the procurement and rollout of an inoculation programme for our population with safe and medically approved vaccines from reliable partners.
The government has to spare no effort or resource in providing ventilators, masks, sanitizers and soaps to general hospitals and the marginalised Zimbabwean population.
As the deadlier pandemic takes its toll, the MDC reiterates that the poor continue to suffer the most.
This is the time for quality decisive leadership. We urge all Zimbabweans across the political divide to depoliticise the fight against Covid-19 as we collectively put shoulders to the wheel.
While we acknowledge the lockdown measures put in place as currently one of the most responsible steps being implemented world over in containing the pandemic, we however reserve our right in sharing the president’s optimism on our ability as a nation to respond appropriately to the upsurge in fatalities.</blockquote>
President Mnangagwa had said the country’s frontline workers would be first to receive the vaccines once they are acquired.
He also indicated that relevant authorities were engaging countries which are developing the vaccine with the view of procuring the COVID-19 vaccine within the first quarter of 2021.
Zimbabwe has recorded over 20 000 infections and over 1 000 deaths since March last year when the country recorded its first case.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/mdc-t-urges-govt-to-prioritise-ventilator-vaccine-acquisition/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewZimbabwe</a>

MDC-T To Govt: Finalise COVID-19 Vaccine Roll Out Plans

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said local health experts are assessing COVID-19 vaccines and a safe and effective vaccine will be rolled out soon.
President Mnangagwa said this in a televised State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Saturday afternoon where he also warned that security forces are ready to tighten the lockdown if need be.
He added that frontline staff in the fight against the pandemic shall be prioritised. The President said:
<blockquote>Consultations are underway with the private sector to ensure we pool our efforts and resources for a definitive national response.
We will spare no effort, spare no resources to save the lives of Zimbabweans. We will spare no effort to protect our frontline staff who have served us remarkably well under very challenging conditions in these trying times.
They are the heroes and heroines of our nation and should receive priority protection so they, in turn, protect you, me, all of us.
Once we receive the vaccine and it will be quiet soon, they will be the first ones to be inoculated.</blockquote>
President Mnangagwa spoke after several ruling ZANU PF party bigwigs, former and current government officials succumbed to COVID-19 in recent days
On Friday, ZANU PF Mashonaland East provincial chairperson and transport minister Joel Biggie Matiza, former education minister Aeneas Chigwere and former Prisons boss Paradzai Zimhondi succumbed to the respiratory illness.

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