The Bureau of Animal Industry has approved the commercial sale of AVAC ASF LIVE, marking the first African swine fever vaccine cleared for fattening pigs in the country. Announced on Wednesday by the Department of Agriculture, the regulatory clearance arrives nearly seven years after the viral disease first struck local herds in 2019, cutting the national hog population from about 13 million heads down to roughly 8 million heads.
Regulatory Approval and Vaccine Specifications
AVAC ASF LIVE is a freeze-dried, live attenuated vaccine developed by AVAC Vietnam. According to the Department of Agriculture, the formulation protects healthy, meat-producing pigs against the Genotype II African swine fever virus. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the commercial availability of the vaccine serves as a crucial component for the government repopulation program. The regulatory approval supplies hog raisers with an additional tool to shield healthy animals while industry stakeholders work to rebuild production and secure a stable pork supply.
Industry Response and Economic Impact
The farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura welcomed the commercial clearance of AVAC ASF LIVE. Sinag Executive Director Jayson Cainglet noted that the vaccine brings renewed hope to backyard hog raisers and offers the government a vital instrument to accelerate the recovery of the domestic hog industry. Cainglet added that the vaccine should function as part of a broader strategy to control the disease, rebuild the hog population, and restore domestic pork production.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that second-quarter hog production rose 5.6 percent to 412,280 metric tons liveweight, compared to 390,490 metric tons a year earlier. Despite the production increase, the country’s hog inventory dropped to 8.93 million heads as of June 30, marking a 1 percent decline from 9.01 million heads during the same period last year. The Department of Agriculture reported that herd reductions have driven supply shortages and increased reliance on pork imports.
Did You Know? African swine fever outbreaks have spread across 76 of the country’s 82 provinces, leaving backyard raisers particularly vulnerable due to limited resources for maintaining strict biosecurity measures and absorbing financial losses.
Future Outlook and Additional Vaccine Trials
As part of ongoing disease management, a second vaccine named PROVAC, developed in South Korea, is undergoing testing by the Bureau of Animal Industry. Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock Constante Palabrica stated that PROVAC could provide hog raisers with another defensive option against African swine fever by next year. Furthermore, Palabrica has requested P1 billion from the Department of Agriculture for 2027 to subsidize animal vaccination programs, which could widen vaccine access for backyard hog farms.
Expert Insight: Deploying commercially approved vaccines alongside enhanced disease surveillance, strict movement controls, and targeted restocking forms the backbone of the government’s strategy to restore the national herd to pre-outbreak levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AVAC ASF LIVE?
AVAC ASF LIVE is a freeze-dried, live attenuated vaccine developed by AVAC Vietnam to protect healthy, meat-producing pigs against the Genotype II African swine fever virus.
Who approved the vaccine for commercial use?
The Bureau of Animal Industry approved the commercial sale of the vaccine, as announced by the Department of Agriculture on Wednesday.
What other vaccines are currently under evaluation?
A second vaccine named PROVAC, originating from South Korea, is undergoing testing by the Bureau of Animal Industry and could become available by next year.
How will your local farming community adapt to the commercial rollout of the African swine fever vaccine?
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