Source: New FMD vaccine boosts regional disease control – herald
Lonster Mutata-Herald Correspondent
Zimbabwe’s livestock sector could soon benefit from improved access to affordable vaccines following the launch of a new foot‑and‑mouth disease vaccine in South Africa, a development expected to strengthen disease‑control efforts across the Southern African region.
Chief Director for the Directorate of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Pious Makaya, is in South Africa attending the launch of the BIOAFTOGEN FMD vaccine, which was officially unveiled last Wednesday.
The vaccine is produced by the Argentine biotechnology firm Biogenesis Bagó, which has already supplied one million doses to South Africa and is in the process of delivering additional quantities to meet rising demand.
The launch ceremony was presided over by South Africa’s Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, who highlighted the importance of strengthening regional capacity to combat livestock diseases and safeguard the livestock economy.
Also in attendance were South Africa’s Director‑General of Agriculture Mr Mooketsa Ramasodi and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) livestock programme officer Dr Gaolathe Thobokwe, alongside regional veterinary experts and policymakers.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Dr Makaya described the development as a significant milestone for Zimbabwe and the wider SADC region.
“This is a very important development for Zimbabwe and the region at large,” said Dr Makaya.
“For a long time, our region has largely depended on a single supplier for foot‑and‑mouth disease vaccines, which sometimes created supply bottlenecks and drove up costs for countries that urgently require vaccines to control outbreaks.”
For many years, regional countries have depended heavily on vaccines supplied by the Botswana Vaccine Institute, a situation that at times exposed livestock producers to shortages during periods of heightened demand.
Dr Makaya said the entry of a new supplier into the regional market was therefore a welcome development that could improve vaccine availability while introducing healthy competition.
“Introducing another player into the FMD vaccine production and supply space creates a competitive environment that can help push down vaccine prices while ensuring that countries in the region have reliable access to vaccines,” he said.
He added that Zimbabwe would closely monitor the performance of the vaccine as it is deployed in South Africa.
“As Zimbabwe, we are keen to follow the protection‑efficacy results from the use of this vaccine in South Africa. These results will help guide future decisions regarding vaccine sourcing and utilisation within our own national disease‑control programmes,” he said.
Dr Makaya also revealed that Zimbabwe is actively pursuing long‑term strategies to strengthen local capacity in vaccine development and production.
“As a country, we are already moving towards strengthening local capabilities in vaccine production.
“The Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) and the Directorate of Veterinary Services are working together with a view to jointly producing foot‑and‑mouth disease vaccines in the near future,” he said.
“This collaboration is part of a broader strategy to build national and regional resilience in animal‑health systems and reduce dependence on external suppliers over time.”
Zimbabwe could also explore scientific collaboration with the new vaccine producer to ensure vaccines are matched to local disease strains.
“We should also consider sharing our local FMD outbreak isolates with this new supplier for vaccine matching.
“That would allow the production of vaccines specifically tailored to the strains circulating in Zimbabwe, thereby improving the effectiveness of vaccination programmes.”
FMD remains one of the most economically damaging livestock diseases in southern Africa, with outbreaks capable of affecting cattle productivity, farmer incomes and export opportunities.
Zimbabwe has in recent years intensified efforts to strengthen veterinary surveillance, disease control and vaccination programmes as part of broader livestock recovery and growth strategies.
Agricultural stakeholders say improved access to vaccines, regional cooperation and continued investment in veterinary science will play a critical role in safeguarding livestock production and supporting the growth of the cattle industry.
With cattle playing a vital role in rural livelihoods, draught power and household incomes, developments that enhance disease‑control capacity are expected to reinforce Zimbabwe’s ongoing drive to build a resilient and productive livestock sector aligned with national agricultural transformation goals.
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