WATCH | FMD crisis: First million vaccines arrive in South Africa

The first consignment of one million high-potency foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines has arrived in South Africa, with Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen describing it as a turning point in the fight against the fast-spreading virus. Steenhuisen oversaw the arrival of the shipment from Argentina at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday, saying the doses would boost protection in the hardest-hit provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal. “Vaccination has already begun in affected areas, but supply has limited the speed and coverage,” he said.

“With this arrival, we can now accelerate protection across priority provinces and stabilise the livestock sector.” KwaZulu-Natal will receive 200 000 doses from the initial batch. #FMDVaccinesCONFIRMED | FMD VACCINES HAVE ARRIVED📍🇿🇦🛬 South Africa has officially received ONE MILLION high-potency Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines at OR Tambo International Airport.The shipment, officially received by Minister John Steenhuisen, marks a major…pic.twitter.com/nU1dUUvKV7 More than five million vaccines from Argentina, Botswana and Turkey are expected by the end of March. Outbreaks have now been reported in all provinces, with priority vaccination targeting KZN, parts of Gauteng, Free State and North West.

For Midlands farmers, the shipment follows weeks of uncertainty and loss. Dairy farmers previously told The Witness that battling the disease without vaccines felt like having their hands tied behind their backs.