Through the Joint Working Group structure, regulatory work and the operational rollout of vaccine are starting to work together in a more practical way. This moves us closer to the goal of a faster, scalable national response.
The updates below provide the latest verified information as this work continues.
FMD ICC Priorities for Engagement
- Alignment between national and provincial response measures through a National Implementation Platform.
- Joint technical workshop to resolve issues faster and shorten decision timelines for regulatory updates.
- Letter requesting clarification on reports of BVI vaccines being imported into South Africa.
- Letter to the Minister requesting transparency on the price paid for imported vaccines and clarification on what is meant by “free vaccine”, including what costs are included or excluded.
National operational coordination
At the Joint Working Group meeting on 6 March, members agreed that the complexity of the national response requires a clear and coordinated operational rollout.
The FMD ICC proposed developing a National Implementation Platform to align responsibilities, capabilities and resources across the Department of Agriculture and industry role players. The platform then acts as the national operations centre coordinating and implementing the work streams across all nine provinces.
Provinces currently implement the National Rollout Plan differently. The FMD ICC raised this at the Joint Working Group meeting. Improving alignment between national and provincial rollout remains a priority.
Regulatory
Section 9 sets the legal control measures used during an outbreak, including restrictions on the movement of animals. The national FMD Contingency Plan applies these measures in practice and therefore forms part of Section 9. Previous updates mentioned publication dates for updated measures, but these remain under review.
The FMD ICC has proposed a joint workshop between the Department of Agriculture, the MTT and the FMD ICC to resolve technical issues faster and shorten decision timelines.
RMIS has made legal counsel available to SAHPRA to prepare a memorandum on the supply and administration of FMD vaccines. This will form the basis of standard operating procedures so that applications by private companies to import vaccines can be processed efficiently in future.