Parliamentary reply to AHS Vaccine

Question

What is the total number of horses that were
(a) vaccinated,
(b) not vaccinated on time and
(c) not vaccinated at all for the African Horse Sickness in each province due to the lack of vaccines at Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) in (i) 2021 and (ii) 2022; (2) what are the reasons (a) that OBP has not been able to produce vaccines on time since 1 January 2020 up to 15 March 2023 and (b) for the delays in producing the needed vaccines; (3) what (a) actions have been taken and (b) mitigating factors are in place to correct the problem?

Reply:
1. In the current financial year Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) sold 49 364 doses of horse sickness vaccine.

a) (i)

In 2021, 6236 equines were vaccinated

(ii) 2022, 5898 equines were vaccinated

In the African Horse Sickness (AHS) surveillance zone and AHS free zone, the number of equines vaccinated is known as permission is required from the Veterinary Authority for vaccination.

(b)(i)(ii)

The Department does not keep records of animals vaccinated for any endemic disease in the country even though it encourages owners to vaccinate their animals. AHS is endemic in the rest of the country, no records of numbers vaccinated is kept.

(c)(i)(ii)

OBP produced enough vaccine during 2020 for the market. Thereafter until 2023 disruptions due to equipment breakdown and load-shedding started which disrupted consistent production supply.

2. (a)(b) responded by in 1(c)

3. (a) OBP is currently refurbishing critical equipment and has commenced in procuring new equipment.

(b) Negotiations are currently taking place to consider contract manufacturing with the aim of increasing OBP production output.

I don't know the actual details but I remember MDK always complaining there was never enough done.

So without the facts I would have to say the money thrown at this problem and the people responsible are as about as useful as the ANC and should be replaced

What people are you refering to Dave? Racing or government?

To be honest not really sure?

I just remembered we threw plenty money to get protocol in place to make it easier to allow SA horses to compete overseas.

There were many conferences and discussions and sure overseas trips for the people responsible and we are no further forward as we are today .

I do stand under correction......

.....I believe that there are big problems with the manufacture of the AHS vaccines and not enough to meet the demand.....also a big stink in the pricing of the vaccine and an agricultural body SAAI is looking to take legal action against the government as they are responsible for the manufacturing thereof.....also see some pharmaceutical bodies also laying blame for similar in some other vaccines that are also manufactured locally and are not available or being priced up similarly....:ohmy: