Ex-DA chief warns against hasty approval of ASF vaccine

MANILA, Philippines — Former Agriculture secretary Leonardo Montemayor yesterday urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to go slow in the approval of the vaccine against African swine fever after the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) warned countries against using substandard vaccines to contain ASF.

“There should be no shortcut in the process.  The vaccine should first pass FDA (Food and Drug Administration) testing, followed by field trials… Hence, the earliest use of an approved vaccine will be one year from now,” Montemayor told The STAR.

The trials, he added, should be done under the supervision of the DA and the Bureau of Animal Industry.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier said the FDA was set to approve the country’s first vaccine against ASF for commercial distribution. He also said the DA would conduct mass trial of an ASF vaccine this month. 

“WOAH warns veterinary authorities and the hog industry of risks from the use of substandard vaccines. The continuing spread of ASF is a global concern for the industry as no region is left unaffected. For many years, the lack of vaccine or effective treatment has made it very difficult to control the disease,” the WOAH said.

It added that the research community has been working to develop an effective vaccine.