The second shipment of the foot-and-mouth disease vaccine that the South African government ordered from the Botswana Vaccine Institute has not yet arrived in the country.
By Alani Janeke, Senior Journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
It appears that the shipment of about 700 000 doses of FMD vaccine, which was expected to arrive on Wednesday, will only be available later. Dewald Olivier, CEO of Red Meat Industry Service (RMIS), previously indicated that the vaccine was expected in South Africa by 8 October. Joylene van Wyk, director of communications at the Ministery of Agriculture, says the shipment is “expected soon”.
Olivier has confirmed that RMIS has been informed that delivery was imminent.
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Vaccine at R99 per Dose Seen as Insurance
Once the shipment arrives in South Africa, it must be quarantined for 24 hours before it can be sold, distributed and used.
Olivier describes buying vaccine doses as a “type of insurance” for a livestock farmer, allowing them to have vaccine on hand should there be an outbreak on their farm or in their district.
The cost for farmers is R99 per dose. Of this amount, R49 covers government’s import cost, and R50 goes to Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) to cover refrigeration and handling. RMIS will facilitate communication between private-sector buyers and OBP.
Olivier says the vaccine must be stored by OBP in terms of legislation, and may only be administered by a state veterinarian.
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