Zimbabwe is set to strengthen access to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines following the launch of BIOAFTOGEN in South Africa, on Thursday.
Chief Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Pious Makaya, who attended the launch alongside South African Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen and regional partners, said the introduction of BIOAFTOGEN offers a new avenue for Zimbabwe to secure critical FMD vaccines.
“BIOAFTOGEN provides a timely and reliable option for our country as we continue to safeguard livestock health and protect the livelihoods of farmers.
It has the potential to reduce our dependence on the Botswana Vaccine Institute, which has been a key supplier for many years, and will complement our efforts to establish local production capacity,” Dr Makaya said.
He added that Zimbabwe is pursuing vaccine development in partnership with the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC), aiming to produce FMD vaccines domestically.
“Our collaboration with SIRDC is progressing well, and the introduction of BIOAFTOGEN adds another layer of security for our national vaccination programmes.
Local production is a strategic priority for Zimbabwe, as it ensures timely access, reduces costs, and strengthens our ability to respond rapidly to outbreaks,” Dr Makaya added.
The launch of BIOAFTOGEN in South Africa was attended by veterinary and agricultural leaders from the region, reflecting a growing commitment to regional cooperation in animal health.
Dr Makaya described the engagement with the manufacturer Biogenesis Bago as pivotal for ensuring sustainable supply.
“Working with Biogenesis Bago allows Zimbabwe to explore flexible procurement options while also learning from their vaccine development and production expertise.
This regional collaboration is critical for controlling foot-and-mouth disease, which remains a major threat to our livestock sector and rural livelihoods,” he said.
Zimbabwe has faced periodic FMD outbreaks in cattle-producing regions, with implications for both domestic consumption and cross-border trade. Strengthening vaccine availability is seen as central to controlling the disease and supporting agricultural productivity.
“The combination of reliable regional suppliers and our own local production initiatives will enable us to protect our herds effectively, enhance farmer confidence, and maintain the competitiveness of Zimbabwean livestock in regional markets,” Dr Makaya noted.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, with significant economic impacts on livestock production and trade.
Zimbabwe relies on vaccination campaigns to prevent outbreaks, historically sourcing vaccines from regional suppliers such as the Botswana Vaccine Institute while developing local capacity through SIRDC. The introduction of BIOAFTOGEN represents a major step toward diversifying supply and strengthening disease control efforts.
