Vietnam's ASF vaccine research process is extremely meticulous

The process strictness

Mr. Nguyen Van Long, Director of the Department of Animal Health (DAH), reported that the African Swine Fever (ASF) was discovered in Vietnam in February 2019. As soon as it was discovered, the Central Party, Portliburo, the Secretariat, the National Assembly, the Government, and MARD requested that research be conducted on disease prevention measures, including the development of an ASF vaccine.

With the support, technical cooperation, science and technology transfer, especially the ASF virus variant transferred from USDA's scientists, Vietnamese enterprises and animal health agencies have been able to organize research, produce ASF vaccine successfully, and conduct a thorough evaluation of the vaccine in Vietnam since November 2019.

Since May 2022, two ASF vaccines, NAVET-ASFVAC researched and produced by NAVETCO Company and AVAC ASF LIVE researched and produced by AVAC Vietnam Company, have been registered and certified for circulation in accordance with the Law on Animal Health, documents on the instruction of implementation of the Law, and international technical standards on veteranary vaccine.

These are the very first commercial ASF vaccines certified for circulation, particularly in light of the fact that no commercial vaccine to prevent and combat ASF has been certified for over one hundred years.

Mr. Long confirmed that MARD leaders have concurrently directed a number of moves to attain the current outcomes. During that time, the whole world and Vietnam had to contend with the Covid-19 pandemic so the implementation was even tougher. However, all research developments are shared with U.S. scientists in order to assure a unified technical posture on competency.

Mr. Long elaborated that in July 2022, following a rigorous procedure, MARD authorized the use of 600,000 doses of the vaccine.

From July 2022 to July 2023, over 600,000 doses of the AVAC ASF LIVE vaccine were administered across hundreds of pig farms of various sizes, ranging from household farms to industrial farms.

During the vaccination, MARD also directed its affiliates to closely monitor the pig herds to ensure that the piglets were developing normally and that the vaccine was effective. Second, further evaluation revealed that the protective immune response surpassed 93.5 percent.

To date, 1 million doses have been administered across the nation. This vaccine was also administered in the Dominican Republic with positive results. Similarly, a tiny quantity has been used in the Philippines," Mr. Long disclosed.

Learning from the success of Vietnam

Mr. Nguyen Van Diep, General Director of AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company, stated, "AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company's ASF vaccine - AVAC ASF LIVE is registered for circulation, secure, and provides excellent protection for piglets from the post-weaning period or older (4 weeks). The vaccine is administered in a single dose to piglets older than four weeks and provides protection for at least five months."

According to Mr. Diep, this vaccine was developed by AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company from a strain originating from the United States and has been optimized and adapted on DMAC cell lines produced by AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company, ensuring stable criteria in terms of purity, safety and protection effect.

"To date, over one million doses of our AVAC ASF LIVE vaccine have been administered by significant corporations in Southeast Asia on hundreds of farms. In addition, more than 300,000 doses of this vaccine were exported to the Philippines by the end of July 2023. In addition to biosecurity measures, we are confident that this is the most effective instrument to safeguard pig herds from the threat of ASF spreading in Vietnam and Southeast Asia," Mr. Diep said.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien highlighted: "Vietnam's ASF vaccine research process is extensive, meticulous, and employs modern methods, from the research process on viruses, cells, and technological processes to vaccine production and laboratory evaluation, as well as narrow and broad evaluation.

The safety, sterility, and efficacy of vaccines are guaranteed. Both the research and manufacturing processes are conducted in consultation with prominent experts from the United States and Vietnam. Pigs developed normally in terms of weight gain, survival rate, and food intake; immune response reached 93 to 95%."

Mr. Deogracias Victor B. Savellano, Philippine Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture, stated, "In general, the Philippine livestock industry is self-sufficient in the poultry sector. However, livestock remains in limited supply and must be imported from abroad. Recently, the Philippines have been hit hard by ASF."

"We were delighted to learn more about Vietnam's development and achievements in ASF vaccine production during this business excursion to Vietnam. We gained valuable insights from Vietnam in order to control ASF in the Philippines.

The ASF vaccine developed by Vietnam is going through testing stages, and the Philippines is waiting for the results. We expect to use this vaccine in the Philippines once we have comprehensive reports and results of all processes," said Undersecretary Deogracias Victor B.Savellano.