Industry-Secured FMD Vaccine Stock Now in South Africa
On 17 October 2025, a total of 644 000 doses of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) SAT-strain vaccine arrived in South Africa from the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI). This shipment was secured through a direct industry-led procurement, coordinated and facilitated by RMIS, in close cooperation with the Department of Agriculture (DoA).
BVI is currently the only producer of SAT-type FMD vaccines in Southern Africa and supplies several countries across the region. Recognising the urgency to secure vaccine stock for high-risk areas in South Africa, the South African Feedlot Association (SAFA) formally requested approval from DoA to allow feedlots to purchase vaccines directly. The Department responded positively, enabling a swift and coordinated industry-government response to a pressing need. This successful collaboration ensured the vaccine stock was prioritised for South African use, rather than being allocated elsewhere in the region.
The vaccines are now safely stored at Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) and will be distributed to the feedlots and buyers who contributed to the procurement.
Important Notes About the Vaccine
This is a water-based FMD vaccine that provides protection for a period of up to four (4) months. Due to its short duration of immunity, it is best suited for vaccination-to-kill strategies, as typically implemented in feedlots, where animals are slaughtered within a few months. It is less suitable for vaccination-to-live purposes, meaning it is not recommended for long-term use in breeding herds that remain in the production system for longer periods.
ADDRESSING THE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: What is the cost of the vaccine?
A: The cost of FMD vaccines depends on how many doses are ordered and the logistics involved. The most recent batch, procured by the private sector through RMIS, cost R60.87 per dose. This price excludes distribution and administration costs.
Q: Why can only feedlots buy the vaccine?
A: Feedlots are prioritised for two main reasons:
- High Disease Risk: Feedlots are in high-density cattle zones, where a single case of FMD can spread quickly and affect trade.
- Vaccine Suitability: The current vaccine is water-based and only protects animals for up to four (4) months. This makes it suitable for vaccination-to-kill strategies, like in feedlots where animals are slaughtered within a few months.
Q: What is the efficacy of the Botswana Vaccine Institute vaccines?
A: The effectiveness of the BVI vaccine has been closely monitored. A vaccine expert was appointed by the Ministerial Task Team to review the data. Recent feedback from the field—especially in outbreak areas like the Eastern Cape—shows good protection, but only if the full vaccination programme is followed, including the booster shot. Without the booster, protection may be lower.
Q: Will we look at alternative vaccine manufacturers?
A: Yes. There are active discussions happening with the Department of Agriculture (DoA), Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and several international partners to diversify the vaccine supply. This includes
- exploring local “fill-and-finish” solutions using South African-registered FMD strains.
- Looking at offshore production to increase the number of suppliers able to manufacture vaccines for use in South Africa.
The goal is to secure a reliable and cost-effective supply of vaccines for the country and reduce dependency on a single manufacturer.
Q: Where will short-term vaccine stock be sourced, and what is the long-term plan?
A: In the short term, the state is sourcing vaccines via OBP, which imports the required SAT-strain vaccines from the BVI, who is currently the only registered supplier in Southern Africa.
For the long term, the Department of Agriculture and industry is working on a broader strategy that includes:
- Securing contracts with multiple international suppliers to reduce dependency on a single source.
- Strengthening local production capacity by supporting partnerships between OBP and the ARC to enable domestic manufacturing of registered FMD strains.
- Investigating the production of an oil-based vaccine, which will provide longer immunity (12 months) and will therefore be more suitable for ‘’vaccinate to live’’ scenarios, thus reproducing herds.
