South Africa Launches Fully Funded National Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccination Campaign

Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, confirmed today that the South African government will cover the full cost of vaccinating the national herd against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Farmers will not incur any expenses for vaccines administered as part of this national response. Vaccines have already been distributed to all provinces, and hundreds of thousands of animals are being vaccinated each week. The goal is to reach 80% of the national herd by December. This vaccination campaign forms a key part of South Africa’s strategy to contain the ongoing FMD outbreaks and protect the agricultural economy.

South Africa has received one million vaccine doses from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina and 1.5 million doses from Dollvet in Türkiye, with additional shipments expected in the coming weeks. The vaccines are being managed through a coordinated national system that ensures proper storage, quality checks, and distribution to veterinary teams in all provinces. Minister Steenhuisen expressed his gratitude to both state and private veterinarians, as well as industry partners like the Milk Producers’ Organisation, for their role in supporting the vaccination rollout. Their efforts ensure that the vaccines reach farms safely and efficiently. The minister emphasized that the campaign’s success depends on collaboration between government, veterinarians, and the livestock sector.

Recent misinformation about vaccine costs has caused confusion among some stakeholders. Claims that each Dollvet vaccine costs R45 fail to account for the full logistical and operational requirements of a national programme. The R45 price reflects only the bulk supply to a cold-storage facility in South Africa, not the costs of inventory management, cold chain maintenance, distribution, and administration on farms. These steps are essential to ensure the vaccines remain effective and are delivered safely to livestock. Minister Steenhuisen clarified that no profit is being made from vaccines, and farmers receive them free of charge.

The vaccination programme is fully funded by the Department of Agriculture, which has allocated resources to sustain vaccine supply and cover operational costs. FMD has been officially classified as a national disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa, highlighting the urgent need for government intervention. Minister Steenhuisen warned against spreading false information during the crisis, stressing that accurate and verified data is critical for protecting livestock. He called on farmers and stakeholders to rely on official sources and participate responsibly in biosecurity measures.

Controlling FMD requires a united effort across the livestock sector, relying on science-based decision-making and cooperative action. The government’s vaccination initiative demonstrates its commitment to protecting farmers, ensuring national herd health, and safeguarding the broader agricultural economy. Stakeholders are encouraged to follow official FMD updates for accurate information on vaccination schedules and disease management. By working together, South Africa can limit the impact of FMD and maintain a resilient and productive livestock industry.