By Staff Reporter
Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has revealed that some people in the country will be made to pay if they want the COVID-19 vaccine.
The vaccines on the market are seen as currently the only form of protection against the deadly virus.
As the government in the past weeks informed that it had finished formulating the vaccine rollout policy, most Zimbabwean had see hope of returning to their normal lives
However, Minister Mthuli Ncube has said the government will not provide everyone with the jab for free.
He said some citizens will pay so that the government can recoup its money.
In an interview with ZTV, Mthuli said vaccines are cheaper than PPE and therefore private citizens should pay.
“Private Citizens obviously will have to pay for the vaccine as we have maintained the vaccine is cheaper than some of the PPE we are procuring.
“We need to recoup the cost of procurement. This will help us as government to be able to cover costs to cover the entire population.
“Wouldn’t it be nice to cover everyone beyond the 10 million people targeted.” he said.
He however added that the less privileged will be given the vaccine for free.
“Paying something for the vaccine is really important so that we can cover those who cannot afford it at all.”
US$100m set aside for vaccines
The finance minister is on record saying the government has reserved about US$100 million for the purchase of vaccines.
He said the US$100 million would about 20 million doses which will be enough to vaccinate 10 million people.
“Zimbabwe treasury has set aside US$100 million for the acquisition of 20 million doses for the vaccination of 10 million people, to achieve head immunity. The government welcomes support from the private sector and development partners.
“The vaccine is cheaper than the costs of PPE, economic costs of lockdowns, and socio-psychological effects. With some innovative financial structuring and use of the 2020 budget surplus, we can purchase vaccines to inoculate the entire population of Zimbabwe,” he said. Get latest Covid-19 Stats on CovidZW.info #OpenCOVIDContracts
Vaccines will not be free: Govt
