Bulawayo Close to Achieving Herd Immunity

By Tafadzwa Chigandiwa

Government has said the second capital city, Bulawayo, is closer to achieving Covid-19 herd immunity.

The minister of information and publicity Monica Mutsvangwa confirmed this new development when she was giving an update on the procurement and roll-out of vaccines in the country.

“Of special note is that the City of Bulawayo, at 52.6% for the first dose and 40.3% for the second dose is edging towards herd immunity,” she said.

Mutsvangwa also added that apart from Bulawayo, people from Matebeleland North were responding positively to the government’s vaccination programme with Victoria Falls having already surpassed its herd immunity.

Furthermore, cabinet announced that as of 19 September, 2021, a total of 2 949 025 citizens have so far received their first doses while 2 065 395 have already received their second doses nationwide.

According to cabinet, the number of all vaccinated citizens translates to a national coverage of 34.7% for the first dose and 24.3% for the second dose.

The cabinet also gave an update on the procurement of vaccination doses.

“Cabinet wishes to further inform citizens that one million doses of Sinovac vaccines were received on 14 of September, 2021. This brings the total number of vaccine doses received since roll-out of the vaccination programme to 11 800 000,” Mutsvangwa added.

Few months back the ministry of health revealed that its targeted herd immunity is vaccinate atleast 10 million people or 60 per cent of the population.

Although, the vaccination programme is moving smoothly, government is still working hard to ensure the spread of the Covid-19 virus is mitigatated.

This follows after president Mnangagwa yesterday (Tuesday) also announced that Level 2 of the national lockdown has been extended by another 2 weeks.