DA: All systems go for 1st PH gov’t-controlled ASF vaccination

By Stephanie Sevillano, Philippine News Agency

ALL SYSTEMS GO. Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa says during an interview Thursday (Aug. 29, 2024) that it’s all systems go for the country’s first government-controlled vaccine rollout against African swine fever (ASF) in Lobo, Batangas on Aug. 30, He said small-hold backyard hog raisers would be prioritized. (PNA photo by Stephanie Sevillano)

MANILA – The first government-controlled vaccination against African swine fever (ASF) will push through on Aug. 30, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday.

“All systems go tayo for the vaccination sa Lobo, Batangas (We are all systems go for our vaccination in Lobo, Batangas),” DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa said in an interview.

“Iyong mga na-test natin na baboy prior to vaccination ay negative and healthy. Matutuloy iyong bakuna natin bukas (The hogs we tested prior to vaccination tested negative [for ASF] and are healthy. We will push through with the vaccine rollout tomorrow).”

De Mesa said the DA – Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) will prioritize small-hold backyard hog raisers in Lobo.

Vaccination will also be clustered to ensure the quality of vaccines, with each vial equivalent to 50 doses, he added.

“Doon sila dapat sa mga farm nila doon mo sila babakunahan. Dapat strategic kasi may temperature requirement din yung bakuna (The hogs should be vaccinated in their farms. It must be strategic because the vaccine has a temperature requirement),” De Mesa said.

For the first batch of ASF government-controlled vaccination, 10,000 doses of emergency-procured vaccines will be used.

De Mesa, meanwhile, said an additional 150,000 doses of the AVAC live vaccines are expected to arrive in the country next week.

He, however, said the succeeding vaccines would have to undergo the government’s regular bidding and procurement process.

Other areas eyed for the next vaccine rollouts are red zones or barangays with active ASF cases in Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Occidental Mindoro, and North Cotabato.