John Steenhuisen, the Minister of Agriculture, and Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, the Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD), and led a ministerial foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination outreach campaign in Katlehong on the East Rand, Johannesburg, on Saturday, 7 March. During this event, over 200 cattle were vaccinated and tagged as part of the government’s intensified response to FMD.
Vaccine Pricing
Steenhuisen dismissed what he described as conspiracy theories around vaccine procurement.
He rejected claims that government was paying as much as R300 per dose for vaccines or that officials were profiting from the procurement process.
“FMD is a state-controlled disease, which means the state carries the cost and the vaccine is free to farmers,” he said. “We are paying between R60 and R68 per dose for these vaccines.
Conspiracy Theories
The minister also refuted claims that government had signed an agreement allowing vaccine suppliers to take control of the country’s livestock if payments were not made.
“That is simply ridiculous,” he said. “A vaccine company has no interest in becoming farmers.”
Later this month, South Africa expects another major shipment of five million vaccine doses from Biogénesis Bagó to further expand the vaccination campaign.
Also read: FMD vaccinations are free, beware of fake news – Steenhuisen
☎️ FMD Control Centre (Toll-Free): 0860 246 640
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