South Africa rolls out first local foot-and-mouth vaccine in 20 years

South Africa has unveiled its first domestically manufactured foot and mouth disease vaccine in 20 years as part of efforts to curb the country’s most severe outbreak in recent memory. The highly contagious viral disease primarily affects Hoofed livestock, causing painful blisters and reduced productivity, and has prompted authorities to scale up immunisation across the national Livestock of about 12 million head.

Developed by a government research agency, the vaccine is slated for phased production, with an initial weekly output of 20,000 doses from March 2026, rising to 200,000 doses per week in 2027. The move is intended to reduce reliance on imported vaccines and strengthen national capacity to respond to disease threats, improving what officials described as “vaccine sovereignty.”

The outbreak has drawn criticism from livestock producers, who have highlighted significant losses and expressed frustration with what they see as a slow and disjointed government response. Some farming groups have signaled possible legal action, underscoring tensions between authorities and the agricultural sector over disease management.