‘Refine ASF vaccination protocol to fast-track rollout’

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. yesterday ordered the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to refine its protocol in the vaccination against African swine fever to expedite the rollout of ASF vaccines and address the continued spread of the virus in the country.

Tiu Laurel said the pilot vaccination in Lobo, Batangas – ground zero of the ASF outbreak – showed encouraging results, noting that blood tests on 35 pigs have shown that the hogs developed sufficient antibodies to combat the virus.

“We are hopeful that impending changes to the vaccination protocol will finally fast-track the vaccine rollout and address our problem with this stubborn virus,” Tiu Laurel said.

At least 41 hogs were initially vaccinated, but six died because of comorbidities, the Department of Agriculture said.

Tiu Laurel acknowledged that many backyard hog raisers are hesitant to join the ASF vaccine rollout amid concerns that their pigs will be slaughtered if tests showed the animals are infected.

He has approved the allocation of P350 million for the procurement of 600,000 doses of ASF vaccine.

Based on BAI data, ASF has spread, as of Oct. 2, to 534 barangays in at least 14 regions, 30 provinces and 122 municipalities.