Story by Tarirai Madhuyu

THE government has so far procured more than 10 million poliovirus variant vaccines ahead of the vaccination programme, which begins this Tuesday across the country.

It is all systems go for the rollout of the poliovirus variant vaccination campaign this Tuesday.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care told the ZBC News that more than 10.5 million doses have been procured.

“After conducting an intensified polio survey in the country, the government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care is rolling out a poliovirus variant vaccination campaign programme across the provinces except for Harare from tomorrow up to 23 February 2024 and from 26_29 February for the first round in Harare.

“The second round of the vaccination campaign program will kick in Chitungwiza and other provinces from 19 – 20th March 2024 and in Harare from 21_23rd March 2024. The government is therefore urging all parents and guardians to complement government’s effort in reducing the effects of polio in the country,” said Incident Polio Manager in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Mrs Colline Chigodo.

The country has recorded a single case of the poliovirus variant in Sanyati, Mashonaland East Province.