3.2 Recommendations
While government has produced information on COVID19
cases and vaccination on a regular basis, it has fallen far
short in terms of publicizing details of the distribution of
the vaccine and the institutions where vaccination is taking
place. This has left citizens with no information on where
to get the vaccine and because there is a strict limit on the
number of people getting vaccinated, the process
becomes tedious for Zimbabweans, whose main
occupation is informal work.
Of the 20 people that ZPP spoke to, 16 said they did not
get adequate information on the process and they had
experienced extreme difficulties to get the first jab.
“I went for the first time in the afternoon and I was only
told that they had already taken the number they needed
for the day. So, the next day, I had joined the queue by 4
am and I was number 89. I only got the jab midday and I
feel something should be done to make the process less
difficult and discouraging especially considering that by
gathering in the queues, people find themselves getting
exposed to COVID-19,” a Highfield resident.
ZIMBABWE PEACE PROJECT
MONTHLY MONITORING REPORT
JULY 2021
ZPP has documented cases where healthcare workers are
demanding bribes from vaccine-seeking citizens as the
demand grows and it is only when government ensures
there is an adequate supply that this can come to an end.
In light of this, ZPP strongly recommends that government
use all available information strategies and not simply
heavily rely on state media platforms as these may not
have an adequate audience. Government should use
innovative methods, not just to encourage people to get
vaccinated, but to let them know where they can get the
vaccine upon deciding to get the jab.
Government can enroll the services of celebrities and
create local ambassadors to share information on
vaccination and the centres.
Government can also use algorithms to send SMSes to
citizens in particular areas on where they can get the
vaccine.
Additionally, there should be efforts to install posters in
local shops on where the vaccine is available. One private
medical aid organization is facilitating the process by
having its members and others interested register online.
The process eases the time people have to wait in queues
and also reduces the likelihood of those in queues
contracting the virus.
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