Zimbabwe sees renewed resolve to fight virus 3 years after deadly outbreak

In April 2022, Zimbabwe faced a ferocious measles outbreak that swept through all 10 provinces, infecting thousands and tragically claiming the lives of over 750 children by October. Among those directly impacted was Amai Nyasha, whose first-born child was nine years old when the epidemic began.

"I didn't wait  -  I took her in for vaccination right away," Amai Nyasha recalled during a recent routine immunisation session at a clinic in Budiriro, Harare. Three years later, accompanied by her young son, she returned - not driven by fear, but by awareness fostered through extensive community education.

The 2022 outbreak exposed severe weaknesses in Zimbabwe's immunisation system, which had been disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and challenged by growing vaccine resistance, particularly among apostolic religious communities.

"The outbreak was a tragic wake-up call," said Aspect Maunganidze, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care. "It showed us where our systems were weak, but it also forced us to act decisively."

In response, the government launched an urgent two-phase nationwide measles vaccination campaign. The first phase targeted children under five, vaccinating nearly 1.97 million (85.9% of the target), while the second phase, rolled out in early 2023, focused on children aged five to 14 in high-risk districts including Chipinge, Gutu, Mazowe, and Chiredzi.

But beyond numbers, the story of Zimbabwe's recovery from the outbreak is one of community resilience and trust-building.

In Budiriro, one of Harare's most densely populated suburbs, fear and misinformation ran rampant. Wilbert Mavhunga, a carpenter near Budiriro Polyclinic, remembers the rumors: "People said the measles vaccines were actually Covid-19 vaccines in disguise."

To combat this mistrust, health workers implemented door-to-door education campaigns, patiently explaining the dangers of measles and the protective benefits of vaccination.

Sister Mayoyo, family health services in-charge at Budiriro Polyclinic, led these efforts. "Education was our first tool. We wanted people not just to vaccinate, but to understand why," she said.

Recognising the importance of religious influence, health staff engaged apostolic and other faith communities respectfully, partnering with church leaders to spread accurate information without media exposure, a move that helped ease fears.

Sister Ratowa, head of maternity services at Budiriro, highlighted the critical role of religious leaders in the campaign. "We promised no media attention on their participation, which helped build trust."

The collaboration extended to interfaith coalitions including the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Catholic Bishops Conference, UDACIZA, and the Islamic Council, all of whom helped bridge cultural divides.

Local leaders like Francis Musiyiwa, a religious elder in Budiriro, also made a lasting impact. "People trust their church leaders more than anyone else," he said. Through meetings and even WhatsApp groups, Musiyiwa helped turn suspicion into protection.

Budiriro's vaccination coverage soared to nearly 100% during the outbreak, a testament to these community efforts.

Mobile health teams carried vaccines with ice packs to homes and clinics, while additional staff were hired to meet demand. The success in Budiriro now serves as a blueprint for other communities.

"We're not just reacting anymore," said Sister Ratowa. "We're building systems that prevent, educate, and respond faster."

Looking ahead, Zimbabwe plans a root cause analysis of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks in June 2025, feeding into a multi-year national plan aimed at strengthening immunisation infrastructure, outreach, and health worker training.

"Vaccines are free and accessible," Maunganidze stressed. "But access must be matched with trust. That's where our ongoing engagement comes in."

The 2022 measles outbreak laid bare the country's public health vulnerabilities. Yet, instead of despair, it sparked a renewed determination  -  building a healthier future, child by child, family by family, door by door.

As Sister Mayoyo summed it up: "We're not just fighting measles  -  we're building resilience and hope for generations to come."