South Africa has initiated a large-scale importation of vaccines as part of an urgent national response to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious viral infection affecting cattle populations across the country. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen confirmed that substantial consignments of vaccines have been received over the past 48 hours, marking a critical phase in the government's expanded immunization strategy.

According to Radio France Internationale, one million doses are scheduled to arrive this week, followed by an additional 1.5 million doses next week. Total imported vaccine volumes are expected to reach between three and five million by March, reflecting the scale of the government's emergency intervention.