New avian influenza vaccine cleared for commercial use

MANILA, Philippines — A new vaccine against avian influenza has been cleared for commercial use, according to the Department of Agriculture.

The DA yesterday said the vaccine, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), will protect the poultry industry against the highly pathogenic avian influenza () subtype H5N1 and the velogenic Newcastle disease.

“With the FDA’s approval of Volvac B.E.S.T. AI plus ND, the poultry sector now has a strong defense against a virus that threatens both food security and human health,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

The H5N1 is the most aggressive subtype of bird flu, causing high mortality in chickens. It can be transmitted to humans. The Newcastle disease is highly contagious and often fatal to domestic poultry.

Industry groups welcomed the approval of the vaccine, describing it as a long-awaited breakthrough for poultry raisers.

“This is a very significant improvement in our avian influenza prevention,” Francis Uyehara, president of the Philippine Egg Board Association said.

United Broiler Raisers’ Association president Elias Jose Inciong said the new vaccine would minimize red tape in disease prevention measures.

Uyehara and Enciong made the statements on the sidelines of the Philippine Poultry Show 2025 and International Livestock, Dairy, Meat Processing and Aquaculture Exposition.

Tiu Laurel said the vaccine rollout is expected to stabilize poultry production and will help keep prices of chicken affordable.