FMD vaccination coverage surpasses 90% as South Africa begins booster phase
Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp says more than 90% of South Africa’s cattle herd has received FMD vaccinations, ahead of the government’s December 2026 target, as provinces roll out booster doses.
South Africa has achieved a vaccination coverage of over 90% against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), surpassing its government target of 80% well ahead of the December 2026 deadline. Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp unveiled the milestone at the Agricultural Writers SA National Awards in Johannesburg on Friday, November 13, 2026.
Approximately 22 million vaccine doses have been acquired and distributed across the agricultural sector, with around four million doses going to the private sector and just under 11 million to the state. All provinces have moved into the booster phase of the campaign, which aims to maintain immunity and bolster protection against the highly contagious disease.
Aucamp credited the progress to a collaborative effort between government, farmers, and private stakeholders, describing the achievement as a significant milestone for South Africa's agricultural sector. He emphasized that the joint efforts of the government and the agricultural sector are crucial in controlling FMD spread while safeguarding livelihoods and South Africa's red meat export markets.
The department will continue its large-scale vaccination campaign using state veterinary services, while livestock producers can voluntarily vaccinate their cattle after obtaining authorisation.
Farmers can register online through the Department of Agriculture, Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) or Buffalo Analytics to become authorised vaccinators and procure vaccines, with orders placed through the online system delivered within 24 hours. Despite the progress, Aucamp cautioned livestock owners to maintain vigilance and strictly adhere to biosecurity measures, especially during the booster vaccination rollout.
He welcomed the significant decline in new outbreaks and pledged continued collaboration with organized agriculture and individual livestock owners to contain the disease. The department expressed gratitude to veterinarians, animal health technicians, farmers, and industry partners for their ongoing contributions, stressing that an uninterrupted vaccine supply and sustained cooperation are vital to controlling FMD.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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