Vaccination roll out to take place in Victoria Falls this coming week

Government vaccination roll out is set to start this week for Victoria Falls City to cover all adults 18 years and above. Given the nature of the City's economy and it's reliance on tourism, the Government of Zimbabwe and Ministry of Health and Child Welfare have highlighted Victoria Falls and the country's tourism sector as a priority for phase two of the country's vaccination programme in order to allow for tourism to effectively restart safely.

The Deputy Minister of Health, along with other Ministry officials have landed in Victoria Falls and are on the ground to begin the roll out later this coming week. Refresher and logistical training for all medical teams has begun today, with innoculation points identified and mobile units being formed for an effective roll out.

The initial centre's for fixed innoculation points include Chinotimba Clinic, Chinotimba Hospital, Health Bridge, ZRP Camp Clinic, Dr Gwenhamo, and Beat AIDS Clinic with additional centre's to be advised as plans roll out. Mobile Units are being assembled to visit hotels, supermarkets and tour companies etc.

The vaccines will be free and all residents in and around Victoria Falls are being encouraged to participate. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are not included in the exercise given that current research on the vaccine formulation did not include the impact on them.

Adequate doses of the Sinopharm Vaccine are in transit to Victoria Falls to cover both the first vaccination, and a second dose which is to be administered after 28 days.

The news has been widely welcomed by stakeholders in Victoria Falls who are eager to move forward with recovery of tourism to the destination.