Vaccine will be for free: Vice President Chiwenga

ZTN Correspondent

No Zimbabwean will be made to pay for Covid-19 vaccine as Government will roll out the programme for free, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga clarified on Thursday morning.

The Vice President, who is also the Minister of Health and Child Care was officially opening virtual World Cancer Day commemorations.  

“My fellow Zimbabweans, let me reiterate that the Government of Zimbabwe will roll out Covid-19 vaccine for free, to all our citizens who may wish to be vaccinated. The policy is inspired by humane morals that life should not be bought,” he said.

The Vice President’s remarks follow suggestions by Finance Minister professor Mthuli Ncube that some citizens may be required to pay for the vaccine, with Government only catering for frontline workers and vulnerable groups.

Prof Ncube has since said his remarks were taken out of context.

In a statement, the Minister said, “It has come to my attention that, my comments about payment for the Covid-19 vaccine have been taken out of context.

He added, “I would like to make it clear that the vaccine that the Government of Zimbabwe is procuring with the support of our international partners and friends will be made available for free, to the citizens of Zimbabwe.”

Zimbabwe has set aside US$100 million for the procurement of vaccine, while China has also pledged to support the country with the vaccine.

The country has to date recorded 33 964 confirmed Covid-19 cases, including 27 391 recoveries and 1 269 deaths.