The Philippines is working to expedite the approval of candidate vaccines for African Swine Fever (ASF) as the country grapples with ongoing outbreaks. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. indicated a best-case scenario of six months for the approval process, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Vaccine Development and Trials
Currently, four ASF vaccine manufacturers are undergoing clinical trials, with suppliers from Thailand, the US, and Vietnam. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a Certificate of Product Registration to the AVAC ASF Live vaccine from Vietnam for a limited, government-controlled rollout. This registration is valid for two years and subject to annual monitoring and evaluation.
"Due to the urgency of the situation, we are consulting with vets and other experts in this field on how to shorten the process of approval and trials. So, my best case is six months from now," said Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr.
Rollout and Distribution
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated P350 million to procure 600,000 doses for hog farmers. The initial rollout began on August 30 in Lobo, Batangas, with 10,000 doses deployed by the end of September. A second batch of 150,000 doses is expected to be awarded by October.
The vaccination rollout will expand to include La Union, Quezon, Mindoro, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cebu. Commercial pig farms in active infection zones will also receive priority.
Impact of ASF
As of September 6, the Bureau of Animal Industry reported active ASF cases in 109 municipalities across 31 provinces. ASF was first detected in the Philippines in 2019, causing significant economic disruption to the local pork industry. The DA aims to ensure a steady pork supply and stabilize prices through the controlled vaccine rollout.
"Our goal is to ensure a steady supply of pork in the market and stabilize prices," Secretary Laurel stated.
Avian Flu Vaccine
In addition to ASF, the DA has cleared the commercial use of avian influenza vaccines, prioritizing commercial farms. There is currently no approved bird flu vaccine in the country, but three avian influenza vaccine manufacturers have submitted their products for trials.
