HANOI: Vietnam has granted approval for the domestic commercial use of two home-grown vaccines against African swine fever, becoming the world’s first country to have commercial vaccines for the deadly disease.
The two vaccines, NAVET-ASFVAC, co-developed by Navetco Central Veterinary Medicine and U.S. scientists, and AVAC ASF LIVE, developed by AVAC Vietnam JSC, have received the green light from the government, according to an official statement.
The authorization of these vaccines marks a significant breakthrough in combating the highly contagious and lethal African swine fever, which has long disrupted the global pork market, causing major economic losses in affected countries. The disease devastated around half of China’s domestic pig population in the worst outbreak of 2018-19, resulting in estimated losses exceeding $100 billion in the world’s largest pork producer.
Vietnam Likely to Export Vaccines’ Export
With the domestic commercial approval in place, these vaccines could potentially be exported, offering a valuable tool for other countries struggling with African swine fever outbreaks.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture has instructed the companies to develop production plans for both domestic sales and potential exports. The government statement mentioned that over 650,000 doses of the vaccines had recently undergone testing on hog herds across 40 provinces, showing an impressive efficacy rate of 95%.
“The vaccines are eligible for circulation and use nationwide,” the ministry stated.
The United States, while having been spared from the virus so far, has shown interest in precautionary purchases of the vaccines. US Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack stated last month that the vaccines might attract interest as a preventive measure.
