Wrapped in white tarpaulin, the shipment of 200,000 doses, a donation from the Chinese government, arrived early Monday aboard the country's only working aircraft - an Air Zimbabwe Boeing 767.
The aircraft was often used by the late former ruler Robert Mugabe to travel abroad for medical treatment or routine check-ups.
Receiving the vaccines at Robert Mugabe International Airport, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said: "it has not been lost on us that in times of need, China's response has been swift."
Chiwenga said the donation was "timely" and "yet another demonstration of the long bond of friendship and solidarity."
Today was surreal! Reporting the arrival of Zimbabwe's first shipment of Sinopharm's Covid 19 vaccine. 200 000 doses donated by the Chinese government. We have a long way to go but hope has arrived. I genuinely smiled. #Zimbabwe #COVID19Vaccine 🇿🇼💉🇨🇳 pic.twitter.com/99j0Yq8Wrq
— Martha Mamombe (@MarthaMamombe) February 15, 2021
Negociations with other labs
Zimbabwe is the first country in southern African to receive the Sinopharm jabs, whose efficacy against a new variant that emerged in neighbouring South Africa, is still unclear.
The vaccines would undergo routine checks by the local medicines control authority before they start to be administered this week.
It has already ordered another 600,000 jabs from China expected to be delivered in early March.
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In all, the country plans to procure a total of 1.8 million doses of the Sinopharm formula - which is 79 percent effective, according to its developers.
"Next month we will be acquiring additional vaccines from China to the tune of 600,000 doses and the programme will continue until we head towards the target of 1.8 million doses," said Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube at the airport.
The government is currently negotiating with other laboratories, notably the manufacturer of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine.
Zimbabwe aims to vaccinate 10 million people, around two thirds of its population, to reach herd immunity.
Despite being close to ruin, the government has budgeted $100 million for its vaccination programme, which will be free of charge.
The country has officially recorded more than 35,000 cases of the viral infection including 1,400 deaths, according to the WHO.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa imposed a new lockdown last month, including a 6 pm to 6 am curfew to curb the spread of the infection.
(with AFP)
