Russia and China have approached Zimbabwe about supplying vaccines to tackle its escalating Covid-19 outbreak amid concern about Harare’s ability to afford the shots, with plans for meetings with business leaders who have offered to pay for them, Reuters reports.

Portia Manangazira, a director of epidemiology and disease control in the health ministry, told a parliamentary committee that China and Russia were among those that had approached Zimbabwe to offer supplies of their Covid-19 vaccines. "They have near pre-qualified vaccines and those are going to be for sale [...] they might offer a small donation."

Acting Health Secretary Robert Mudyirandima said President Emmerson Mnangagwa would meet business leaders on Tuesday who have offered to finance vaccines to help out the cash-strapped government.