By Nqobile Tshili, BULAWAYO Zimbabwe
Cabinet has approved the start of the second
phase of Covid-19 vaccination exercise and urged companies intending to buy
vaccines for their employees to procure only those that are registered in
Zimbabwe.Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa
The Medicines
Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has approved the use of Sinopharm and
Sinovac from China, Covaxin from India and Russia’s Sputnik V for use in the
country.
Two weeks ago,
Government launched a nationwide Covid-19 vaccination programme targeting
frontline workers after receiving a donation of 200 000 doses of Sinopharm
vaccine from China.
Frontline
workers are covered in the first phase while vulnerable groups among them
people with chronic illnesses such as cancer, TB and diabetes patients are
covered in the second phase.
During a
post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting
Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said 34 400 people were vaccinated
countrywide in the first two weeks of the roll-out programme.
She said
progress made in the initial stages of the vaccination programme has prompted
Cabinet to approve the second stage.
The Minister
said only registered medicines will be used.
“All those
intending to procure vaccines for their employees must procure only registered
vaccines in Zimbabwe. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development will be
purchasing the vaccines on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe.
“Cabinet would
also like to unveil the guidelines for the procurement and administration of
Covid-19 vaccines by the private sector in Zimbabwe,” she said.
“Following
wide ranging consultations with the private sector, the following guidelines
will be followed: All Covid-19 approved vaccines will be procured through the
National Vaccine Procurement Fund managed by the Ministry of Finance and
Economic Development.
“Organisations,
individuals and any partners wishing to donate towards vaccine procurement will
do so to the President through the Fund. Donations received and pledges made to
date will be announced.”
Minister
Mutsvangwa said those interested in buying vaccines for their workforce will
deposit their funds into the National Vaccine Procurement Fund after approval
by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
“The National
Vaccine Procurement Fund will procure on behalf of the organisations guided by
the national procurement guidelines. To ensure safety and efficacy, vaccines
shall be kept at the Central Vaccines Stores under the Ministry of Health and
Child Care and the National Cold Chain guidelines shall apply.
Only trained
and registered health professionals shall be authorised to administer vaccines,
and only the Ministry of Health and Child Care shall be responsible for issuing
all Covid-19 vaccination certificates.
“All vaccines administered at private institutions will be transported by Ministry of Health and Child Care medical staff under guard by the Zimbabwe Republic Police,” she added.
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