Battling foot and mouth: 1.5 million doses now available for farmers

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Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen confirmed the arrival of a major shipment of 1.5 million Dollvet Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday.

This shipment, imported from Turkey, was facilitated by Dunevax acting as the authorised agent.

According to the department, the successful arrival of this batch demonstrates its strategic decision to partner with the private sector to secure a steady pipeline of high-potency vaccines.

Dunevax informed the department that the arrival of the vaccines on Saturday, 28 February, was delayed due to the tensions in the Middle East and the restricted airspace over the Gulf States, Minister Steenhuisen stated.

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Minister John Steenhuisen has welcomed the arrival of a major consignment of 1.5 million Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines in South Africa.🇿🇦

The successful importation of Dolvet FMD vaccines from Turkey, facilitated by Dunevax as the authorised agent,… pic.twitter.com/F3sm3Zjs1m

— National Department of Agriculture (@DOAgov_ZA) March 1, 2026

“Today’s arrival follows the one million doses received Saturday, 21 February, from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina. The department’s distribution network has moved with unprecedented speed.

“Upon landing last week, Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) immediately dispatched the Argentine doses to the provinces.

“Provincial veterinary teams, state and private, acted swiftly, with vaccination of cattle herds already well underway in high-risk areas,” he explained.

Foot and Mouth Disease-free status

Minister Steenhuisen met uMngeni dairy farmers to discuss sector challenges, urging national unity for achieving FMD-free status through vaccination, requiring full state and farmer cooperation.

With millions more doses scheduled to arrive in the coming months, the ministry and department emphasised that it remains laser-focused on suppressing viral circulation.

He added, “The arrival of the Dollvet vaccines today is another win in our war against FMD. By leveraging agents like Dunevax, we are proving that the department is willing to work with any partner who can help us protect our national herd.

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“We are focused on action and results, and we will continue to deal decisively with every outbreak until South Africa is FMD-free.”

The department revealed that it will continue to provide updates on new vaccine doses rolling out to provinces to boost the existing vaccination campaign.