By Hamu Madzedze
The Ministry of Health and Child Care says they will continue to be guided by the Cholera disease burden statistics to determine priority areas for vaccination using a ward based approach.
This was revealed by the Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Douglas Mombeshora during the launch of the National Cholera vaccination in Kuwadzana.
Dr Mombeshora said the staggered delivery of vaccines into the country is a result of the current global shortage of cholera vaccines due to its high demand, therefore in Zimbabwe the vaccines have already been prepositioned in all provinces and cities and severely affected districts of the country.
"As such MOHCC will continue to be guided by disease burden statistics to determine priority areas of vaccination using a ward-based approach" said Dr Mombeshora.
Dr Mombeshora also highlighted that the vaccines have been used in the previous campaigns and millions of people were vaccinated and protected and this should allay any safety fears or concerns that people might have about this vaccine.
The health minister said working together as a country will ensure the life -saving vaccine reaches every corner of the country and protecting communities.
"It is by working together as a nation that this life saving vaccine reaches communities and protects the devastating impact of Cholera in the short term ,while the longer term infrastructure in water ,sanitation and hygiene are taking shape in line with governments vision ",said Dr Mombeshora.
He urged community leaders and school authorities from respective targeted areas to collaborate with health teams from the Ministry so that eligible people are vaccinated in order for the country to achieve herd immunity and control the disease.
"The success of this campaign hinges on the active participation of every Zimbabwean therefore all eligible individuals in the targeted districts and wards should get vaccinated as it saves lives and protect communities" said the Minister
Zimbabwe has recorded more than 20,000 suspected Cholera cases and more than 400 confirmed and suspected deaths,since the first cases were recorded nearly a year ago.
The main operational strategy used in this campaign is house-to house in order to minimise gatherings and further spread of the disease.
There will also be fixed vaccination points in all health facilities within the catchment area.
Comentários