SAHPRA Speeds Up 6 Million FMD Vaccine Doses for South Africa
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has welcomed the quick action by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to speed up access to six million doses of Dollvet vaccine against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). This comes after SAHPRA issued a Section 21 permit last Friday for two million doses. The authority will also grant two more permits for the remaining four million doses. With FMD threatening South Africa’s livestock and food supply, these FMD vaccines arrive at a critical time. On March 1, 2026, 1.5 million doses reached the country from Turkey. This article covers the permit details, the minister’s comments on teamwork, thanks to SAHPRA, and vaccination plans in KwaZulu-Natal.
SAHPRA’s move includes a Section 21 permit issued on Friday for two million doses of the Dollvet vaccine. Two more permits will cover the other four million doses. The plan splits purchases into batches of two million doses each. This approach handles logistics problems from the conflict in the Middle East. For quick reference, here are the key updates:
- Section 21 permit: Friday for 2 million Dollvet doses.
- Additional permits: For remaining 4 million doses.
- Arrival: 1.5 million Dollvet doses from Turkey on March 1, 2026.
These steps help get FMD vaccines to farms faster.
The response builds further with plans for five million more doses of the Biogénesis Bagó vaccine. This follows one million doses that arrived from Argentina last month. Together, these imports strengthen the fight against the outbreak.
Steenhuisen stressed the need for teamwork between government and private groups. He thanked farmers and partners for their help.
I want to recognise the vital role the private sector has played in navigating the complexities of vaccine acquisition and logistics. To our farmers and all the role players walking beside the Department of Agriculture in this fight – thank you for your resilience and cooperation. We are not fighting this battle alone, and it is through this united front that we will protect our national herd and ensure long-term food security.
His words highlight how everyone works together to stop FMD and safeguard cattle.
The Department of Agriculture also thanked SAHPRA for its fast response to the urgent need. More details on delivery times will come once set.
In KwaZulu-Natal, MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa leads a plan to vaccinate all commercial and communal cattle twice in the next 12 months. The province will use five million doses of BioGenesis Bagó and Dollvet vaccines. KZN holds about 2.5 million cattle, second only to the Eastern Cape.
KZN cattle count: 2.5 million heads
Second-largest in South Africa.
Vaccination efforts continue with shipments already in place. The first batch of 200,000 BioGenesis Bagó doses came from Argentina in February. Then 560,000 Dollvet doses arrived from Turkey early this month. Both sit at the Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory in Pietermaritzburg. Work goes on in uMzimkhulu in the Harry Gwala District Municipality, the second area after Ugu District. Last Friday, teams gave out 15,037 doses, pushing the total near 120,000 there.
Here’s a look at the arrivals:
| Vaccine Type | Source | Quantity | Arrival Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioGenesis Bagó | Argentina | 200,000 | February 2026 |
| Dollvet | Turkey | 560,000 | Early March 2026 |
kaMadlopha-Mthethwa noted the steady pace.
As per the schedule, vaccines have been arriving in batches, with the first shipment of 200 000 doses of BioGenesis Bago from Argentina in February and 560 000 doses of Dollvet vaccines from Turkey having arrived early this month, all stored at Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory at Cascades in Pietermaritzburg.
Mop-up work in uMzimkhulu should wrap up soon, weather allowing. The next district will get an update after that.