Johannesburg – Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has received the first shipment of one million high-potency Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines at OR Tambo International Airport, marking the start of a national vaccination campaign to protect South Africa’s livestock industry.
The vaccines were sourced from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina, with five million more doses expected in March.
“We have received the first batch of 1 million Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccines at OR Tambo International Airport. This is a major breakthrough in our efforts to protect the national herd, farmers, and jobs. This delivery is part of a phased national rollout, more will follow,” Steenhuisen said.
🇿🇦 We have received the first batch of 1 million Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccines at OR Tambo International Airport.
This is a major breakthrough in our efforts to protect the national herd, farmers, and jobs.
This delivery is part of a phased national rollout, more will follow. pic.twitter.com/JzqjZe5Ru8
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) February 21, 2026
The rollout forms part of the Department of Agriculture’s 10-Year Eradication Strategy, which aims to vaccinate over 14 million cattle and restore South Africa’s FMD-Free Status with Vaccination to protect export markets and strengthen biosecurity.
More than two million doses have already been administered, with daily vaccinations continuing nationwide.
#FMDVaccines 🎥 | BIG MOVE FOR OUR LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY🇿🇦
Minister John Steenhuisen oversaw the arrival of the first consignment of ONE MILLION high-potency Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines, supercharging South Africa’s vaccination drive in affected areas.
💉 Protecting… pic.twitter.com/rYDfxPlz2L
— National Department of Agriculture (@DOAgov_ZA) February 21, 2026
During the State of the Nation Address, Cyril Ramaphosa declared FMD a national disaster due to its economic risks, announcing plans to vaccinate the entire national herd, requiring 28 million doses in the coming months.
Authorities aim to vaccinate 80% of cattle by December.
Steenhuisen noted that South Africa has relied on imported vaccines since losing local production capacity in 2005 and confirmed that private veterinarians can now register to administer vaccines under the Animal Diseases Act.
📸📸 | Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen officially received ONE MILLION high-potency FMD vaccines at OR Tambo International Airport.
💉 Sourced from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina, this shipment marks a major turning point in protecting South Africa’s livestock, farmers,… pic.twitter.com/44pLj9ArpE
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) February 21, 2026
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
