Zimbabwe launches cholera vaccination campaign
Zimbabwe launched a cholera vaccination campaign on Monday, aiming to immunize more than two million people against the water-borne disease.
The vaccine, administered orally, provides protection for at least six months. Health workers are primarily focusing on school children and door-to-door initiatives, starting in the Kuwadzana neighborhood near Harare.
The epidemic, which has been raging since February 2023, has killed more than 400 people and infected more than 20,000 people.
Zimbabwe will receive a total of 2.3 million vaccine doses from UNICEF and the World Health Organization, which will be deployed to 29 worst-affected districts. More than 892,000 doses have already been sent, according to the Ministry of Health.
Cholera is spread by ingesting contaminated food or water and most often occurs in crowded urban areas where sanitation facilities are poor.
In November, the Zimbabwean government took steps to restrict public gatherings and the sale of food, as well as monitor burials in cholera-affected areas, after a surge in cases.
This vaccination campaign plays a crucial role in preventing cholera in crowded urban areas facing sanitation challenges.
With this initiative, Zimbabwe shows its desire to fight cholera and put in place preventive measures to protect the population. However, much remains to be done to improve the country’s health infrastructure and reduce the risk of epidemics in the future. Additional investments will need to be made to guarantee access to drinking water and optimal sanitary conditions for all residents. Following basic hygiene measures, such as washing hands and drinking clean water, is also essential to prevent the spread of cholera. Increased awareness of hygiene practices and education campaigns should be put in place to inform the population about the risks and the measures to take. Together, these efforts will help reduce the frequency of cholera outbreaks and protect the health of Zimbabwe’s people.