Thanks China, your vaccines are a ‘light at the end of a dark tunnel’: Zim

Zimbabwe’s ruling elite braved chilly weather early on Monday morning to receive 200,000 doses of China’s Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine at Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare.

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“Our dear friends of China, these vaccines are certainly providing a new light of positivity to the people of Zimbabwe in these tough times — a light at the end of a dark tunnel,” said President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun said Beijing will be working with other African countries to fight Covid-19.

“More African countries will benefit from Chinese assistance. But we have to do it first step by step. Zimbabwe is one of the first developing countries (to be assisted),” he said.

At the handover and signing of certificates for the vaccine at State House later that day, Mnangagwa emphasised the donation had further strengthened relations between the nations. In response, Shaochun said his country will always stand by Zimbabwe.

Initially, the country pledged to buy 600,000 doses of the vaccine from China, but now it has committed to 1,8 million of the two-dose vaccine. Hence, about 6.6% of the population from critical groups will be first in line for vaccination.

Deputy minister of health Dr John Mangwiro said front-line workers will get the vaccine first.

He said the target was 10 million people and from that there was a high possibility of achieving herd immunity.

Mnangagwa added that the rest of the population will get vaccines from other parts of the world.

“Vaccines from Russia, India and the UK are also on the way,” he said.

According to the ministry of health rollout plan, phase one will include health workers, border/airport staff, security personnel and funeral parlour workers. Prisoners, those who are chronically ill, people over the age of 60 and refugees will be taken care of in the second stage of phase one.

Phase two will see teachers, lecturers and other academic or school staff being vaccinated. Thereafter, the rest of the population will be inoculated.

But Team Pachedu, a movement of citizens for transparency, responsibility and accountability without fear or favour, has raised concerns that the Sinopharm vaccine is not, in some countries, recommended for people with HIV or those over the age of 60.

According to the UN, Zimbabwe’s HIV prevalence stands at 24.6% in the 15 to 49 age group. They make up the majority of those in line for the vaccine.

Meanwhile, though relaxed, the country has extended its Covid-19 lockdown by another two weeks as it begins its vaccination programme.

Addressing the nation, Mnangagwa said this was to “allow the high number of active cases to recede.”

Borders with neighbouring countries are still closed, but SA deputy minister of home affairs Njabulo Nzuza said the country has approached Zimbabwe to allow more trucks to use the border despite the lockdown.

Key points of the extended lockdown are:

• Essential services open 8am to 5pm.

• Curfew 8pm to 5am.

• No intercity or interprovincial travel.

• Funerals 30 people.

• All other gatherings banned.

• Private companies seeking resumption of work test all employees first.

• Judiciary will open for emergency cases only. No-one in the gallery.

• Schools remain closed.

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