The Midlands Provincial Medical Director in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr. Mary Muchekeza has revealed that the rollout of the vaccination campaign in schools in the province is being hampered by 16 year and 17-year-olds who are hesitant to get vaccinated.
Speaking during the YAFM and Great Dyke TV covid-19 webinar this Thursday, Dr. Muchekeza urged parents to encourage their children to get vaccinated to reduce the chances of deaths.
“We have started implementing the rolling out of vaccinations to the 16 to 17-year-old age groups. We have been going to schools and the major challenge that we have experienced is that because we were pushing the narrative that it’s a voluntary thing, so some kids are walking away because of the different myths about the vaccination.
“So we want to appeal to guardians and parents to encourage their children in these age groups to get vaccinated.
“Our current coverage for the 16 to 17-year-olds stands at around 29 percent for the first dose and less for the second dose which they are already due for,” she said.
Zimbabwe has approved the use of Sinovac for vaccinating 16 year and 17 year olds after recommendations from medical experts.
