Parirenyatwa downplays TB vaccine shortages

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The BCG vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) is available in the country contrary to reports that there was serious shortage at most clinics and public health facilities, Health and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa has said.

The BCG vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) is available in the country contrary to reports that there was serious shortage at most clinics and public health facilities, Health and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa has said.

BY STEPHEN CHADENGA

Parirenyatwa said there was need to distribute BCG on time dispelling reports that there was a critical shortage of the vaccine.

David Parirenyatwa
David Parirenyatwa

“Let me highlight that the Bacille de Calmette et Guerin (BCG) vaccine is available, what is important is that it is effectively distributed,” Parirenyatwa said at a Press conference to launch the immunisation programme for rubella measles last Friday in Harare. BCG is used to prevent TB and is administered within hours of a child’s birth.

The World Health Organisation has made it mandatory that the vaccine be given at birth as part of the routine immunisation programme.

There have been numerous reports in recent weeks that there was an acute shortage of BCG vaccine particularly at public health centres and clinics with delivering mothers being told to come back for the dose.

Health experts said delays in administering the vaccine exposed infants and children to TB.