South Africa receives one million vaccine doses to combat Foot and Mouth Disease

MINISTER of Agriculture John Steenhuisen announced on Tuesday that the first batch of one million high-potency vaccine doses against Foot and Mouth Disease from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina is scheduled to arrive this weekend in South Africa.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

Steen-huisen said that the vaccines are part of the government's comprehensive plan to vaccinate the entire national herd. Agricultural associations have welcomed the news.Steenhuisen said that this shipment is the first phase of a broader agreement, with a further five million doses set to follow in March. “These vaccines are a critical component of the Department of Agriculture's new strategy against FMD, where the national herd of over 14 million cattle will be proactively vaccinated, to ensure South Africa transitions to “FMD-Free Status with Vaccination.”