South Africa greenlights bird flu vaccine rollout
Government launches controlled HPAI vaccination plan for poultry
13 June 2025
1 minute read
By: South Africa will proceed with its long-awaited vaccination strategy against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), Deputy Director-General Dipepeneneng Serage announced this week at the AVI Africa conference.
Serage, who oversees agricultural production, biosecurity and natural resources, confirmed that the government is ready to begin rolling out vaccines under a new science-led and tightly regulated framework.
“My job is to bring science and legislation together and allow farmers to farm without risking anyone’s health, while positioning South Africa as a net exporter of food,” he told delegates.
The HPAI vaccination strategy is built on four key pillars:
- Controlled use of vaccines – Only officially registered vaccines may be used, and farmers must register and comply with strict protocols.
- Biosecurity – Improved on-farm biosecurity remains central to disease prevention.
- Traceability – All vaccinated flocks must be fully traceable to protect export markets.
- Surveillance – Continuous monitoring will ensure rapid response to new outbreaks.
Serage stressed that the approach aims to deliver “maximum benefit of vaccination with the minimum risk” associated with unregulated use.
Three H5 vaccines have already been registered, and an H7 vaccine is in development. One farm is currently under evaluation and could be the first to begin vaccinations under the new framework.
“We have the data, we know which farms we’re starting with — now we have to start,” Serage said.
While the science behind vaccination continues to evolve, he added, the urgency of the HPAI threat requires immediate action.
The announcement marks a major step in bolstering the resilience of South Africa’s poultry sector and maintaining its export potential in the face of ongoing disease risks.
