ASF vaccine proven effective after trials in 6 Luzon farms —BAI

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) on Friday said the vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF) was proven effective from the clinical trials in six farms in Luzon, Sandra Aguinaldo reported on “24 Oras.”

“Walang side effect o ill effect ang bakuna kasi ang ginawa sa trial ten times the normal boost, ang binigay natin sa baboy at walang nagkasakit o namatay until the end of the trial,” said BAI director Arlene Vytiaco.

In 2019, the ASF outbreak was first reported in the country. Thousand of pigs were slaughtered to prevent the disease from spreading. The disease has also reduced the swine inventory in the country.

“Ito’y matagal na naming hinihintay mabilis na mawawala ang ASF dito sa ating bansa at ang mga magbababoy ay muling magkakaroon ng sigla na mag-alaga,” said Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines chairman Representative Nicanor Briones.

“Mabilis babalik ‘yung tamang supply at makikinabang dito ang ating mga kababayan dahil sigurado bababa ang presyo ng karne ng baboy sa palengke,” he added.

Meanwhile, BAI noted that the vaccine would not be for free. Once it is given a certificate of product registration by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pork producers can buy it in the market.

Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines then said the DA should allocate funds to vaccinate the pigs of the backyard raisers.

“Kung wala silang pondo, at kulang ang kanilang bibilhing bakuna, hindi pa rin matatapos ang problema natin sa ASF. Hindi pa rin mawawala yung takot ng mga magbababoy. Ang pinakamaganda sana mabigyan ang lahat ng backyard raisers,” Briones said.

"Hindi pa natin masasabi sa ngayon ‘yan, pero depende sa presyo, the government can intervene," Department of Agriculture spokesperson Rex Estoperez said.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News