AVAC Vietnam JSC has exported its second shipment of African swine fever (ASF) vaccine, AVAC ASF Live, to the Philippines on September 8.
This marks the second shipment of the vaccine, following the delivery of 460,000 doses in 2023. Philippine authorities have found the vaccine safe and effective during initial use.
Nguyen Van Diep, General Director of AVAC Vietnam, said the new order reflects continued trust in the vaccine’s performance and reliability. He added that AVAC maintains direct communication with Philippine partners and regularly reports vaccine usage to the Philippine Department of Agriculture.
The vaccine, however, is still undergoing registration in the Philippines. Although circulation remains limited, regulators have confirmed its safety and effectiveness. Still, a national approval will be required before broader rollout can begin.
Regional expansion
AVAC is pursuing market entry in Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, and several African countries.
Registration is underway in India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Malaysia.
In Vietnam, more than 4 million doses have been supplied to major livestock farms. The company currently has 1.5 million doses in stock.
To support smallholder farms, AVAC will launch five-dose vials in September 2025. This format aims to reduce waste and improve affordability for medium and small-scale producers.
Vaccine development
Vietnam recently detected a hybrid ASF strain combining Type 1 and type 2. While AVAC ASF Live provides effective protection against Type 2, it is less effective against the hybrid strain. Viruses often change mutates faster than vaccines can be developed, but vaccination is still the most reliable way to prevent diseases.
The company is now developing a new vaccine to address this challenge, with registration expected in 2026.
Nguyen Thi Huong, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Veterinary Association, praised the export as a milestone in science and technology, socio-economic benefits, and international cooperation.
She pointed out that vaccination is essential for small farms, where biosecurity is harder to implement. For diseases without specific treatments, vaccines remain the most practical solution.