August 6, 2024

ASF vaccine to be available in Philippines in late 2024 or early 2025

The African swine fever (ASF) vaccine will be available in the Philippines later in 2024 or early next year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on August 1.

In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, FDA spokesperson Pamela Sevilla said AVAC ASF Live from Vietnam has been approved with a certificate of product registration valid for two years. According to Sevila, the vaccine manufacturer must conduct clinical trials to ensure the safety and efficacy of its product within two years.

She added that, with support from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), clinical trials have been conducted with the vaccine, which passed two phases. BAI is in charge of efficacy and safety while the FDA checks documents and the quality of the veterinary drug,.

The initial rollout of 150,000 doses of the AVAC ASF Live vaccine from Vietnam will be controlled and monitored as it has been approved for restricted use by the Department of Agriculture.

Sevilla said the availability of the vaccine would help target the areas where the hog industry or pork production is largely affected.

- PNA