Govt in ambitious 2 million vaccine procurement target by end of June

The government on Tuesday announced an ambitious target of procuring 2 million Sinovac vaccines from China by end of month, as shortages loom.

With a population of about 14,6 million, government aims to vaccinate 10 million people.

Despite initial skepticism about the vaccines the country is facing shortages which have seen citizens being turned away at vaccination centers and have had to wait in long ques.

Government has made assurances that more vaccines were on their way.

Speaking during the post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said that government is in the process of acquiring more vaccines.

“On procurement of vaccines, the cabinet is pleased to inform that arrangements are currently in progress to procure 2 million doses of Sinovac vaccines from China .”

“These are expected in the country by end of month, “ Mutsvangwa said.

Meanwhile, the 500 000 doses of vaccines which were to arrive by 21 June are expected to be delivered this Saturday.

Zimbabwe received its first batch of 200,000 doses of Sinopharm donated by the Chinese government in February.