What's Happening?
South Africa is grappling with a significant shortage of vaccines to manage foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a situation that has become a major frustration for the country's agricultural sector. The Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) has expressed satisfaction
with the government's efforts to secure additional vaccine supplies from international sources. Dr. Peter Evans, a veterinarian at RMIS and a member of the ministerial task team, highlighted the government's support in potentially sourcing vaccines from countries like Turkey and South America. The Botswana Vaccine Institute has confirmed its capacity to supply one million doses per month starting January, which will aid in the mass vaccination program set to begin in 2026. The program will initially target high-risk areas and later expand to regions with lower risk. Additionally, the Agricultural Research Council is working on establishing a medium-scale vaccine manufacturing facility to produce multivalent vaccines by the 2025-2026 financial year.
Why It's Important?
The vaccine shortage poses a significant threat to South Africa's livestock industry, which is crucial for the country's economy and food security. The inability to control FMD effectively could lead to severe economic losses, affecting farmers, meat producers, and related industries. The government's proactive measures to secure vaccines from international sources and increase domestic production capacity are vital steps in mitigating these risks. Successfully managing FMD will help stabilize the livestock sector, protect jobs, and ensure the continued supply of meat products. The situation also underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing global health challenges, as countries like Brazil and Argentina have successfully managed FMD through vaccination campaigns.
What's Next?
The South African government plans to roll out the mass vaccination program in early 2026, starting with high-risk areas such as KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The program will then expand to other regions, including Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, and the Eastern Cape. The Agricultural Research Council aims to produce 20,000 multivalent vaccine doses by the end of the 2025-2026 financial year, with plans to increase production to 150,000-200,000 doses in the following year. The task team is also exploring the use of additional laboratories to enhance diagnostic capacity and relieve pressure on existing facilities. These efforts are crucial in preventing the spread of FMD and ensuring the health of South Africa's livestock.
