The Covid-19 Sinopharm vaccine rollout continues across the Country’s ten Provinces. The Midlands Province received 13 800 doses with a target to vaccinate 6 875 healthcare workers.
“We received our first batch of 13 800 vaccines to cover first and second doses on 18 February,” said Dr. Reginald Mhene, Midlands Acting Provincial Medical Director (A/PMD).
Midlands Province launched its phase one of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Kwekwe on the 22nd of February 2021 and it being a holiday, the Province experienced an initial slow uptake.
“Initial uptake was slow because it was a public holiday, but there is now a gradual increase as more people are getting the right information on the vaccination”, said Dr. Mhene.
“The ten-day period to vaccinate has elapsed but the Province continues to give health education to health care workers who continue coming to be vaccinated each day”, he said.
Despite the vaccine conspiracy theories on social media, The World Health Organization has given its solid support more so churches and traditional leaders are also backing the COVID-19 vaccination program.
“We are continuing to dispel these myths and misconception through Provincial teams that are educating health workers on the benefits of the vaccine,” said the A/PMD
According to Dr. Mhene, the Covid-19 vaccination adds another layer of protection to the already existing preventive measures which include frequent sanitization and/or washing of hands with soap, the correct and consistent wearing of face masks and maintaining of physical distance.
“To date, we have managed to vaccinate 2 827 (41.2%) as a Province and we are grateful to note that more than 300 health workers who contracted COVID-19 in the Province have all recovered,” he said.
Midlands Province has 250 health facilities which include one Provincial Hospital, one General Hospital, 8 District Hospitals and Mission Hospitals.
