South Africa faces another possible vaccine shortage ahead of AHS season

South African horse owners are once again entering African horse sickness (AHS) season with a shortage of vaccines according to role players in the industry. Waiting lists at animal hospitals and equestrians unable to compete due to the lack of vaccines are slowly becoming the new norm as Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) struggles to meet the demand. OBP representatives say that they have been distributing the AHS vaccine for the past few weeks and are continuing to do so. They claim that the vaccines will be sufficient for this season and anticipate more availability in September 2024. However, Dr Evert Olivier, a veterinarian at Bapsfontein Animal Hospital, shares his concerns about the lack of vaccines provided by OBP: “Availability of the AHS and other vaccines from OBP is a big problem”. Olivier explains that their vaccine supply is low, and clients must be placed on a waiting list if they want vaccines for their horses. Read more about the confirmed Eastern Cape AHS ...