The Philippines may require thousands of doses of the ASF vaccine

Would you be able to provide information regarding the current state of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Philippines?

ASF initially emerged in the northern region of the Philippines and has since expanded to the southern provinces. As of the present, the disease has impacted approximately 23 provinces and localities in the Philippines. Nevertheless, we are employing biosecurity measures to manage the outbreak.

Has the ASF vaccine been authorized for use in the Philippines?

At present, we are conducting vaccine trials in numerous locations, including Batangas City. The vaccine appears to be effective, as indicated by preliminary reports; however, we are still conducting further research. The vaccine has been authorized by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and we are currently conducting trials on a larger scale.

As we are aware, the Philippine government intends to import an additional 600,000 doses of AVAC's African Swine Fever vaccine (ASF AVAC LIVE) for ongoing trials. What is your forecast for the market demand for this vaccine in the Philippines if it is successful?

Initially, we are importing 150,000 doses of AVAC ASF LIVE from AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company as part of the 600,000 doses for trial use. We will import additional vaccines for commercial use if the vaccine is effective and successful in trials.

Initial projections indicate that the Philippines may require hundreds of thousands of additional doses of the ASF vaccine in the near future, provided that the FDA grants approval. ASF vaccine demand will be considerable within the domestic market, which will be advantageous for pig farming operations.

What are the Filipinos' expectations for the outcome of these trials?

At present, the ASF in Vietnam is classified as type 2, and this vaccine is also classified as type 2. This vaccine is well-suited for the Philippines, as it is specifically designed to control type 2 of the ASF virus, which is the primary virus affecting the country.

The introduction of type 1 into the Philippines would present a novel challenge. Consequently, there is considerable interest in the vaccine's efficacy against both type 1 and type 2. Nevertheless, we are intently monitoring the situation to ensure that we are prepared to respond if type 1 occurs.

How would you assess the ASF vaccine production facility of AVAC in Vietnam following your visit? Additionally, what recommendations would you offer the Philippine government in terms of collaboration on the importation of ASF vaccines from Vietnam and AVAC in the near future?

The infrastructure, equipment, and cold storage facilities were all in excellent condition when I inspected the ASF vaccine production line at AVAC in Vietnam.

At present, there are no complications associated with the importation of AVAC ASF LIVE vaccines from Vietnam. Upon their arrival, the vaccines will be inspected and monitored by a team in the Philippines.

Nevertheless, the issue of illegal vaccine trafficking is the one that most concerns us. Consequently, we are collaborating closely with the Philippine government to prevent and regulate this illicit activity.

In addition, we are interested in the manner in which Vietnam is addressing the issue of illegal ASF vaccine imports into the Philippines, as this could have a substantial impact on the integrity of the vaccine.

The Philippine government is highly amenable to collaborating with the Vietnamese government. The importation of AVAC ASF LIVE vaccines is our attempt to resolve this outbreak through a vaccine-based solution.

Thank you!

According to News Medical, The Philippines is one of the 19 Asian countries affected by ASF since 2019, according to data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. It has since spread to 74 of its 82 provinces and reduced the swine population from 12.7 million in 2019 to 9.9 million in 2023.

As of July 2023, the hog industry lost at least Php200 billion or about USD 3.5 billion, according to Nicanor Briones, AGAP party-list representative and chair of the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines.