South Africa Resumes Local FMD Vaccine Production

South Africa has achieved a major milestone by resuming local production of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines after a 20-year hiatus. The South Africa===Agricultural Research Council (ARC) successfully developed and produced the first batch of 12,900 doses, which were formally handed over to Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen. This initiative marks a shift from reactive disease control to a proactive, science-led strategy aimed at eradicating FMD and regaining South Africa's FMD-free status with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The initial doses will be strategically distributed across six provinces, with production expected to scale up significantly to 20,000 doses per week by March 2026 and 200,000 doses per week by 2027. To bridge the supply gap, South Africa has also secured imports from the Botswana Vaccine Institute, Biogénesis Bagó of Argentina, and Dollvet of Turkey. The government emphasizes a strictly controlled, state-led vaccination program to meet international requirements and prevent risks associated with illegal vaccine imports. This development is crucial for protecting the livestock industry, ensuring food security, and restoring access to export markets, which have been severely impacted by FMD outbreaks.