Image Source: Farmers Weekly
Local – South Africa is set to receive its first major international vaccine shipment as part of a sweeping national strategy to combat foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has announced that one million high-potency vaccine doses from Argentina’s Biogénesis Bagó are expected to land in the country this weekend.
The shipment forms the opening phase of a larger procurement agreement, with a further five million doses from the same supplier scheduled to arrive in March.
Combined with contributions from Botswana’s BVI, which has already delivered two million doses since the recent outbreak and will continue monthly supply, and Turkey’s Dollvet through local agent Dunevax, South Africa expects to have received more than five million vaccines from three international suppliers by the end of March.
“Our farmers are the providers of our food and the backbone of our economy, bringing essential foreign currency into the country.”
Homegrown Supply
Domestic production is also gaining momentum. On 6 February 2026, the Agricultural Research Council handed over the first batch of locally manufactured FMD vaccines in over two decades to Minister Steenhuisen: 12,900 doses that have since been distributed to the provinces.
The ARC, which was called upon last year to fast-track production, has committed to producing 20,000 vaccines per week, scaling up to 200,000 weekly by 2027.
The vaccines offer protection for up to 12 months.
The national strategy targets proactive vaccination of South Africa’s 14 million-strong cattle herd, with an 80% vaccination coverage goal set for December.
Private veterinarians can now register under the Animal Disease Act to assist with the rollout, broadening the capacity needed to meet that target.
“In terms of the Animal Disease Act, private veterinarians can register to administer vaccines as part of the rollout strategy. This will greatly improve the available manpower to ensure that we are able to meet our vaccination target of 80% of the national herd by December this year,” Minister Steenhuisen announced.
A National Effort
Movement controls and biosecurity protocols are being urged nationwide, with the Minister calling on all South Africans to play their part.
With farmer livelihoods and the nation’s food security in the balance, the stakes could not be higher.
“Every South African’s support is vital to help our farmers win this war against FMD. By following movement controls and biosecurity protocols, we protect the livelihoods of the entire nation,” Minister Steenhuisen said.
