Dynamics and Trends in Vaccine Procurement and Distribution in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The subject of COVID-19 vaccines has generated debate across the globe as it has created a fecund ground for a plethora of dynamics such as vaccine diplomacy, misinformation, and struggle for dominance among global powers to mention but a few. Thus, the vaccine subject has taken-center stage in global discourses, resulting in developing and developed nations experiencing challenges in respect to purchase, transparency, and accountability in the administration of vaccines. The subject of vaccines in Zimbabwe has provoked public skepticism indicative of the existing trust deficit between government and the citizens. This emanates from strong evidence of abuse of public resources and hence questions of transparency and accountability especially in relation to disaster situations. To this end, this paper seeks to bring to light the trends and dynamics in vaccine procurement and distribution in Zimbabwe. The study examines the correlation between vaccine diplomacy (donation-trap diplomacy) and vaccine purchases. A chronological analysis of the approved vaccines, rejection of Johnson and Johnson and sudden acceptance, natural resource implications of the donations from ALROSA, poor public resource management, vaccine shortages, vaccine misinformation and vaccine cheating. Possible ways of enhancing vaccine intake through quality information are also discussed and Zimbabwe`s performance against other African nations is examined. The research ends by proposing a series of questions which should be embraced to fully comprehend the trends and dynamics of vaccine procurement and distribution.

The Landscape of COVID-19 Vaccination in Zimbabwe: A Narrative Review and Analysis of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of the Programme

“…The government of Zimbabwe demonstrated its political will and commitment to the vaccination programme by looking for alternative sources of vaccines earlier on when the WHO-approved vaccines were expensive and inaccessible. Pre-existing good relations between Zimbabwe and countries such as China, India and Russia enabled the government to access vaccines early, including at least 500,000 donated doses [14]. Among the first to be vaccinated in the country was the Vice President, followed by other high-ranking officials.…”

Get vaccinated or else…employees’ perspective on mandatory vaccination in the retail sector in Zimbabwe

“…They then met health personnel who were eager to earn extra money through corrupt behaviors. Corruption in the acquisition of COVID-19 cards not only in Zimbabwe, but in other countries has also been noted by other scholars (Maketo and Mutizwa, 2021;Tshabangu and Salawu, 2021;Sorooshian et al, 2022).…”

Full Issue

“…Public procurement of vaccines during the pandemic was done in several countries in Africa, including South Africa (Bangalee and Suleman 2020) and Zimbabwe (Maketo and Mutizwa 2021). Though challenges associated with procured vaccines were reported, such as vaccine hesitancy, which is linked to a rejection or delay in the acceptance of vaccines Cooper, Van Rooyen and Wiysonge 2021), this is not the subject of the present research.…”