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Paidamoyo Chipunza Senior Health Reporter
At least 90 percent of the targeted population in Mbare, Glen View, Glen Norah and Budiriro, Harare, has been vaccinated against cholera, Epidemiology and Disease Control director in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Portia Manangazira, has said.

She said Glen Norah recorded the highest number of residents who turned up for the vaccination, accounting for 92 percent.
Glen View and Mbare recorded the lowest vaccination rates of 69 and 56 percent, respectively.

Dr Manangazira said while they managed to vaccinate over half of the targeted residents in Glen View and Budiriro, officials were worried by the turn up as the suburbs were the epicentres of the cholera outbreak.
Government has extended the mass vaccination campaign in Budiriro and Glen View.

“From our statistics, the programme went on very well, especially when you are looking at the overall picture, but when it comes to vaccination by suburb, we are still worried with Glen View and Budiriro where the outbreak of cholera emanated.

“We would want to see as many residents as possible from these suburbs being vaccinated. We have, therefore, agreed to further extend the vaccinations up to Thursday just to make sure we reach as many residents as possible.”

Dr Manangazira said following the delivery of additional 900 000 doses of the cholera vaccine last Sunday, Epworth and Chitungwiza residents would be vaccinated on October 15 and 17.

“Dates for vaccination of residents in other targeted suburbs of Mufakose, Kambuzuma, Dzivaresekwa, Stoneridge, Mabvuku, Tafara, Hatcliffe, Highfield and Hopley will be announced in due course,” said Dr Manangazira.
The mass vaccination programme started last Wednesday.

It is targeting 1,4 million people in selected suburbs in Harare, including Epworth and Chitungwiza.
According to health expects, the residents will receive an additional dosage before the onset of the rainy season for them to be fully protected against cholera for the next three to five years.

Although Government managed to contain the cholera outbreak in Budiriro and Glen View, health experts warn of another potential outbreak as council is failing to supply residents with potable water.