12 June 2026
South Africa’s Department of Agriculture has announced the establishment of a comprehensive legal framework permitting the controlled use of vaccines against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
The executive decision, enacted by Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, follows a rigorous administrative review and a formal objection lodged by the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) under the country's Animal Diseases Act.
Under the new regulatory framework, poultry producers will be permitted to use authorized HPAI vaccines, subject to strict government oversight. Authorization is contingent upon compliance with a comprehensive, multi-tiered program that integrates vaccination with:
- Enhanced active surveillance
- Strengthened biosecurity measures
- DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) capabilities
A major challenge associated with HPAI vaccination programs worldwide is the potential impact on international trade. Importing countries often impose restrictions on poultry products from vaccinating jurisdictions due to concerns regarding disease surveillance and outbreak detection. To preserve access to export markets, the Department of Agriculture has committed to continuously evaluating national laboratory capacity and ensuring that all surveillance and control measures remain fully aligned with the animal health standards established by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
