In a major development for the Philippine swine industry, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced the planned rollout of the African swine fever (ASF) vaccine this September. This initiative aims to curb the devastating impact of ASF on the country’s hog population.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel revealed that the ASF vaccine, developed in Vietnam, has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration. The initial phase of the rollout will involve limited government-supervised use for six months to closely monitor the vaccine’s effects before broader commercial availability.
“We are set to begin vaccinating backyard hog raisers by September,” Secretary Laurel explained. “Initially, this will be under strict government supervision to ensure safety and efficacy.”
The introduction of this vaccine is seen as a critical step in addressing the ASF crisis, which has led to a near 100 percent mortality rate among affected hogs in the Philippines, severely disrupting the pork supply. The disease’s rapid spread has prompted the culling of infected animals to prevent further transmission.
The Philippines is among 19 Asian countries that have been battling ASF since 2019, as noted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The DA’s strategic vaccine deployment aims to provide much-needed relief to the struggling pork industry and ensure a steady supply of pork products in the market.
This development brings hope to hog raisers and consumers alike, signaling a potential turning point in the fight against ASF in the Philippines. As the DA monitors the vaccine’s impact, the industry watches closely, anticipating a future where ASF no longer poses a significant threat to livestock and livelihoods.
