South Africa Releases First Locally Made Foot-and-Mouth Vaccine in 20 Years

Overview

• The Agricultural Research Council released an initial 12,900-dose batch, with output targeted to reach about 20,000 doses per week by March.
• Authorities are preparing distribution plans to reach herds nationwide as the rollout shifts from reactive responses to a coordinated vaccination campaign.
• Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said the move will strengthen frontline defense and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
• The department says a tightly controlled, state-led program is needed to meet World Organisation for Animal Health requirements, with imported vaccines used to bridge supply during scale-up.
• An academic expert, Dr Ntuthuko Mkhize, welcomed the long-awaited launch and urged close cooperation between farmers, veterinarians and the department to protect livelihoods and food security.