Botswana’s lifeline: From desperation to global vaccine leadership :: Mmegi Online

In the heart of Southern Africa, the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) stands as a testament to resilience, innovation and national pride. Born from a desperate national crisis in the late 1970s, this remarkable institution has not only safeguarded Botswana's vital cattle industry it has also evolved into a formidable player on the global stage. Equally, it is aspiring to be Africa's largest antigen bank and a global centre of excellence in infectious disease control.

The genesis of BVI

Botswana's economy once heavily relied on its cattle, with livestock contributing almost 40% of its GDP and serving as the livelihood for nearly every Motswana. The nation enjoyed robust beef exports to the European Union until a devastating outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the late 1970s brought trade to a grinding halt. This "desperate situation" spurred the government to seek a sustainable solution.

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Botswana’s lifeline: From desperation to global vaccine leadership

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