701 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 27th of February 2022, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 235 803 after 176 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Masvingo with 115 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate data as at 15:00hrs on 26 February 2022, was: 14 hospitalised cases: 0 New Admissions, 0 Asymptomatic cases, 14 mild-to-moderate cases, 0 severe cases and 0 case in Intensive Care Unit. A total of 1 934 people received their 1st dose of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 4 355 580. A total of 1 670 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 3 389 597. A total of 1 670 people received their 3rd dose of vaccine shots bringing the cumulative for 3rd doses to 120 673. Active cases went down to 4 412. The recovery rate remains at 96%. The total number of recoveries went up to 226 069 increasing by 196 recoveries. The death toll went up to 5 394, after 1 new death was recorded.
Area of Concern
Extension of COVID-19 Vaccines to 12 to 15 year olds
We note the approval, by Government for person’s aged between 12 and 15 years olds being vaccinated primarily for Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines in Zimbabwe. We appreciate the need to strengthen resilience of education and schooling communities from COVID-19 outbreaks which have been on the increase.
- We call for direct engagement with the concerns and fears of parents, guardians and communities regarding possible adverse effects for the vaccination.
- We continue to call for child friendly information on vaccination to support positive behavioural change among children.
- We call for increased vigilance on negative responses or reactions to vaccination in children within the surveillance systems in communities.
Status of Vaccination Program
We commend the progress of the national vaccination program which began a year ago in February 2021 which has managed to ensure slightly over 40% of the eligible population against COVID-19. We note further that several town and cities have reached herd immunity. We acknowledge the receipt of 20 million doses of vaccines and the expectation of delivery o of an additional donation of 10 million doses from the People Republic of China.
- We call for direct efforts to strengthen the vaccination access of persons aged 16 to 35 years.
- We continue to call expansion of vaccination sites to public transit points, farmers markets and other areas of intense socio-economic activities.
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
