Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa received his first shot of China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday in the resort town of Victoria Falls, as the country launched the second phase of the vaccination drive.

Along with Mnangagwa, leaders of political parties were also inoculated.

The second phase of the vaccination program in Victoria Falls, targeting all eligible residents in the resort city, is strategic since it aims at boosting tourism in the country, Mnangagwa said while encouraging all Zimbabweans to get vaccinated.

"No one is safe until everyone is safe. I, therefore, challenge every one of us in our respective communities to accept the vaccination program and to shun vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and the negative conspiracy theories," he said.

Mnangagwa also paid tribute to China and other countries for donating vaccines to the country.

"I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my profound gratitude to China, Russia, India, and indeed an offer that also came from the United Kingdom, for the donation of vaccines."

"Their support and acts of solidarity have gone a long way in ensuring our access to the life-saving doses," he said.

Zimbabwe has so far received three batches of Chinese vaccines, two from Sinopharm donated by China, and an additional one purchased from Sinovac.

The country started the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination program on February 18 with targeted groups, including frontline health workers, journalists, and ports and immigration officials. Besides the two Chinese jabs, Zimbabwe's Medicines Control Authority also approved the use of Russia's Sputnik V and India's Covaxin. 

(With input from Xinhua)