BY MIRIAM MANGWAYA PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has put its health and security agencies on high alert over a looming and potentially more fatal third wave of COVID-19, with the Zanu PF leader yesterday pleading for increased uptake of the vaccination  programme. Health experts recently warned that the country might be hit by a more vicious variant of the respiratory disease after government eased the lockdown restrictions last month, leading to general complacency as citizens ignore safety protocols such as social distancing and wearing of face masks. In a virtual address yesterday,  Mnangagwa said his government was banking on mass vaccination and strict adherence to safety protocols to curb the spread of the disease. “Since 2020, Zimbabwe has been fighting COVID-19. We have lost many of our loved ones and those who have survived are still coming to terms with the trauma,” Mnangagwa said. “Our lives have changed as we adjust to the new normal. Many of you have been asking: ‘Is there a way out? Is there protection against COVID-19?’ I am here to tell you that you and I have a role to play.” He added: “COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered to Zimbabwe. These vaccines help minimise the risk of infection and are being administered all over Zimbabwe free of charge. So, get vaccinated now. This is our stand against COVID-19. Together, we will conquer. Get vaccinated now.” Last month, Mnangagwa courted the ire of human rights defenders after he threatened mandatory vaccination and warned that citizens without inoculation cards would in the future not be allowed into public places. As at yesterday, only 36 283 frontline workers had been vaccinated with Sinopharm against a target of 100 000 people, with the majority said to be sceptical of the efficacy of the drug donated by China. Chief co-ordinator of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic Agnes Mahomva told NewsDay that the country risked more waves as long as citizens do not comply with the prescribed World Health Organisation (WHO) safety measures. She  said her taskforce would be meeting today to deliberate on the way forward following a sudden increase in new infections, although the death rate remains still low. “It is not about what government should do to curb the spread of coronavirus. The disease is not going away because of laid-out government policies, but it largely depends on community responsibility. As it is right now, we have gone back to the same situation we were in towards the end of the first wave where people dumped masks and disregarded social distancing.” Some health experts yesterday suggested that the free vaccination programme should be extended to the other vulnerable groups since the frontliners were  reluctant to take up the jab. “The low uptake clearly shows that this group  (frontline workers) is not interested in being inoculated. It will be wise to open it up for the next prioritised people like the elderly and people with comorbidities rather than letting it lie idle,” Mpilo Central Hospital acting chief executi