The arrival of the first major consignment of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines on 21 February 2026 marks a significant acceleration in South Africa’s national response to the ongoing outbreak, according to the Department of Agriculture.
The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, oversaw the arrival of one million high-potency FMD vaccine doses at OR Tambo International Airport. The vaccines will strengthen an expanding vaccination programme that is already underway in affected areas but has been limited by supply constraints.
Part of sustained international supply pipeline
The shipment was sourced from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina and forms part of a sustained international supply pipeline. Further consignments are scheduled to arrive over the coming weeks, including vaccines sourced from BVI in Botswana and Dollvet in Turkey.
By the end of March, the department expects over five million vaccine doses from the three international suppliers to have entered South Africa. These additional supplies will allow authorities to move beyond targeted outbreak responses toward broader suppression of viral circulation in high-risk regions.
Local production capacity being expanded
In addition to international procurement, the Agriculture Research Council (ARC) has committed to producing 20 000 FMD vaccines per week, with plans to scale up production to 200 000 doses per week in 2027. This local production will support ongoing vaccination needs and contribute to long-term disease management.
Risk-based vaccination rollout
Vaccination has already begun in affected areas, but limited supply has constrained the speed and coverage of the programme. With the arrival of the additional doses, authorities are now able to accelerate protection across priority provinces.
Outbreaks have been reported across all provinces, with quarantine measures, movement restrictions and surveillance continuing nationwide. A risk-based vaccination approach will prioritise outbreak epicentres in KwaZulu-Natal, parts of Gauteng, Free State and North West, while high-risk and border regions will follow structured vaccination programmes.
The first million doses will be distributed as follows:
- KwaZulu-Natal: 200 000 doses
- Free State: 200 000 doses
- Eastern Cape: 150 000 doses
- Mpumalanga: 100 000 doses
- North West: 100 000 doses
- Limpopo: 100 000 doses
- Gauteng: 70 000 doses
- Northern Cape: 50 000 doses
- Western Cape: 30 000 doses
Compliance remains critical
The minister stressed that vaccines alone will not defeat the disease. Quarantine rules, movement permits and biosecurity measures remain in place to protect farmers nationwide. Deliberate illegal movement of animals, concealment of infections or ignoring restrictions threatens recovery of the entire livestock sector, and non-compliance will be addressed with law-enforcement support where necessary.
Support measures for farmers
To better support the farming community, the department has established a dedicated FMD Control Centre. From this week, farmers can access a toll-free FMD Support Line on 0860 246 640 for expert guidance.
The support line provides:
- Information on FMD symptoms;
- Advice on movement controls and permits;
- Updates on vaccine availability and vaccinations; and
- Practical tips on how to keep farms biosecure.
The department has also launched a dedicated WhatsApp channel for FMD updates.
Minister Steenhuisen will visit Mooi River in KwaZulu-Natal on 27 February to vaccinate dairy cattle alongside veterinarians and farmers, acknowledging the severe impact the outbreak has had on the dairy sector.
The department concluded that South Africa is moving step by step from crisis management to control, with vaccines arriving, systems scaling up and compliance being enforced to stabilise the livestock sector and rebuild confidence in the country’s animal-health system.