DA Chief eyes expanded ASF gov’t-controlled vaccination by Oct

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Wednesday expressed plans to expand the government-controlled vaccination against African swine fever (ASF) in Visayas and Mindanao in October. (Pexels Photo)

By Stephanie Sevillano, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Wednesday expressed plans to expand the government-controlled vaccination against African swine fever (ASF) in Visayas and Mindanao in October.

“Iyong (The) procurement process for the 150,000 (doses), it should be awarded in, by, estimated timeline by October 10. So, October 10 ang target date na ma-award iyong kontrata sa (to award the contract to the) supplier and then they will deliver the same day,” he said.

Initial target areas for the government-controlled ASF vaccination expansion include red zones or areas with active ASF cases in La Union, Quezon, Mindoro, Cebu, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat.

As of Sept. 6, the BAI said 472 barangays in 109 municipalities and 31 provinces were still classified as red zones.

The agri chief, meanwhile, agreed with Senator Cynthia Villar following the Senate committee hearing on ASF, citing the need for more vaccine suppliers in the country.

To date, the DA is using AVAC live vaccines from a supplier in Vietnam for its government-controlled vaccination in Batangas.

“Hindi naman pwedeng isa lang. Kaya lang, yan ang nag-apply (It cannot be a single supplier. But that’s the only one that applied) two years ago, and the other six applicants, kaka-apply lang (they only applied) earlier this year or late last year,” Tiu Laurel said.

He vowed to consult experts to expedite the process for the new ASF vaccines from the United States, South Korea, Thailand, Norway, and two more suppliers from Vietnam.

“Due to the urgency of the situation, we are consulting veterinarians and other experts in this field kung paano ma-shorten iyong (on how to shorten the) process of approval and trials. So, I think the best case is six months from now,” Tiu Laurel said, citing that normal trials typically span within a year.

The agri chief also expressed hopes to have at least one to two more ASF vaccines approved by next year.