One million doses of Argentine foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine will arrive in South Africa tomorrow, Saturday 21 February, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced earlier this month.
By Alani Janeke, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
In his reply to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address, Steenhuisen said the large consignment of vaccine from Biogénesis Bagó will be the single largest quantity of vaccine ever imported into South Africa at one time. The shipment forms part of the first phase of a broader agreement with the company, which will deliver a further five million doses in March.
In addition to the Argentine doses, the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) remains an essential partner, according to Steenhuisen. The institute has supplied two million doses during recent outbreaks and will continue supplying additional doses on a monthly basis.
“By the end of March, more than five million vaccine doses will have entered the country from three international suppliers,” he said.
New FMD Control Centre
The Department of Agriculture has established an FMD Control Centre to provide guidance to farmers on foot-and-mouth disease via a toll-free number, 0860 246 640.
Also read:
FMD | Vaccine shipment expected by Friday
Different rules for cattle and chickens – poultry sector demands answers on vaccine double standards
SAHPRA fast-tracks critical FMD vaccines to protect livestock
