Zimbabwe Receives 100,000 Doses of Rabies Vaccines from World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)

Zimbabwe's efforts to combat the deadly rabies disease have received a significant boost with the donation of 100,000 doses of rabies vaccines from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). This donation comes at a critical moment for the country's public and animal health sectors, as the government aims to achieve a total of 600,000 doses nationwide. The vaccines were officially handed over to the government by Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo, WOAH Sub-Regional Representative for Southern Africa, in the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.

Key Takeaways:

• Zimbabwe has received 100,000 doses of rabies vaccines from WOAH, bringing the total stock to 356,000 doses (256,000 existing stock + 100,000 donated doses).
• The government aims to achieve a total of 600,000 doses nationwide to combat the spread of rabies.
• Domestic dogs account for the majority of human rabies infections in Zimbabwe, with vaccination coverage in some areas falling short of the World Health Organisation's recommended target of 70 percent dog vaccination to prevent outbreaks.
• The new vaccines will be distributed nationwide, prioritising high-risk districts, and will support both mass dog vaccination drives and stray dog immunisation programmes.
• Coordination with local veterinary authorities and community health workers will ensure cold-chain integrity is maintained until administration.
• Public awareness and education will play a crucial role in ensuring communities understand the importance of prompt vaccination, especially following animal bites.

Statistics:

• 100,000 doses of rabies vaccines donated by WOAH.
• 256,000 doses of rabies vaccines existing in stock.
• Total doses in stock now: 356,000 (256,000 existing + 100,000 donated).
• Government's target: 600,000 total doses nationwide.
• 110,000 doses of rabies vaccines handed over by WOAH in 2019.
• 70% vaccination coverage recommended by the World Health Organisation to prevent rabies outbreaks.
• Domestic dogs account for the majority ( unspecified percentage) of human rabies infections in Zimbabwe.

Sources:

• "WOAH Sub-Regional Representative for Southern Africa, Dr Moetapele Letshwenyo"

(inperson, at the ceremony in Harare.)

• "Deputy Minister of Lands, Davis Marapira"

(in-person, at the ceremony in Harare.)

• World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)

Footnotes:

Note the actual number of vaccines stock was originally 256,000 and increased to 356,000 after the donation of 100,000.