Home Health Zimbabwe to receive more Sinopharm jabs this week amid lingering hesitancy

Zimbabwe to receive more Sinopharm jabs this week amid lingering hesitancy

by Kudakwashe Vhenge

By Own Correspondent

HARARE – Zimbabwe will this week take delivery of the second batch of 200,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses donated by China, and an undisclosed amount from its first purchase of the Sinopharm jabs.


The country rolled out its immunization of frontline workers, including healthcare personnel and journalists, a month ago after receiving the first Chinese handout. The government went on to buy 600,000 more doses.


Beijing later made a second donation to help boost Zimbabwe’s fight against the pandemic which has since killed 1,503 people and infected 36,483 others.


Announcing the latest delivery on Sunday, Chinese ambassador Guo Shaochun said “acting with determination and speed is the key” to ending coronavirus.


“Zimbabwean chartered flight will bring back the 2nd batch of China-donated COVID-19 vaccines as well as the first batch of procured Chinese vaccine. The plane is due to arrive in Beijing on Monday,” the ambassador tweeted.

The uptake of the Sinopharm vaccine has been subdued even among healthcare workers who are questioning its efficacy and safety.


In four weeks, only about 36,000 people have stepped forward despite repeated assurances by the government.


On Sunday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa recorded a public service announcement video and put it out on Twitter calling on all Zimbabweans to get vaccinated.


“These vaccines help minimise the risk of infection and are being administered all over Zimbabwe free of charge. You and I need to defeat the disease.


“So, get vaccinated now. This is our stand against Covid-19. Together, we will conquer. Get vaccinated now!” Mnangagwa, who has yet to get a shot, said.

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