South Africa has spent more than R72 million on around 900 000 doses of vaccines to contain the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak since March this year.
The government is now prioritising local vaccine production to manage future outbreaks better and reduce reliance on costly imports.
According to the SABC, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen confirmed this week that the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) and the University of Pretoria, is working on finalising a local vaccine.
‘South Africa has made great progress in vaccine development. We have a vaccine that’s now being registered, and we are finalising some of the remaining trials,’ said Dr Litha Magingxa, President and CEO of ARC.
The Department of Agriculture held a two-day FMD Indaba to engage stakeholders and drive collaboration across government and the private sector.
Karan Beef is one of the country’s largest beef producers. They were forced to close for two months due to the outbreak, incurring major losses.
‘We have three feedlots and our entire operations were closed down. That’s economic destruction,’ said Dr Dirk Verwoerd, senior veterinarian at Karan Beef.
Steenhuisen has elevated FMD control efforts to the Deputy Director-General for Agricultural Production, Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management. A directive addressing biosecurity at auctions and livestock markets is expected soon.
According to a media statement, the vaccine procurement process started with a batch of vaccines in mid-June. Government has budgeted approximately R1.2 billion for vaccine procurement in the 2025/2026 financial year.
Positive signs have emerged, with disease management areas in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo expected to be lifted soon. Since July last year, over 144 000 vaccinations have been administered in Kouga and Kou-Kamma municipalities.
The Department has urged the private sector to support local vaccine production. This forms part of a long-term strategy to protect South Africa’s agricultural economy.
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