DA allots P350 million for ASF vaccine procurement
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture has earmarked P350 million for the procurement of vaccines against African swine fever (ASF), a DA official reported yesterday.
The Food and Drug and Administration (FDA) has approved the controlled vaccination of hogs.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa said under the FDA order, the procurement would be undertaken by the DA.
“The next process will be the procurement by the Bureau of Animal Industry, which is ongoing,” De Mesa said in an interview.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has said the FDA would approve this month the country’s first vaccine against ASF.
The vaccines may be available by September, De Mesa said, adding that the “procurement process will take two months.”
De Mesa said the ASF vaccine would not be distributed commercially.
“What the FDA allowed is controlled vaccination. There is no commercial approval yet from the agency,” he said.
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