Using the African swine fever vaccine to prevent and control epidemics in localities

Vaccines are used safely in 40 provinces and cities

Document No. 4870/BNN-TY clearly states that, since the African swine fever (ASF) first appeared in Vietnam in February 2019, the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, the National Assembly, and the Government, the Prime Minister, and MARD have directed the synchronous and drastic implementation of solutions for epidemic prevention and control.

At the same time, promote research and master vaccine production technology; strengthen international cooperation, guide and support veterinary specialized agencies and domestic enterprises to research and produce vaccines against ASF.

NAVETCO Central Veterinary Medicine JSC (NAVETCO Company) researched and produced the NAVET-ASFVAC vaccine, and AVAC Vietnam JSC (AVAC Company) researched and produced the AVAC ASF LIVE vaccine. Since May 2022, the two types of vaccines against African swine fever have been registered and granted a certificate of circulation in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Veterinary Medicine, documents guiding the implementation of the Law, and international technical standards for veterinary vaccines.

These are the first commercial vaccines against ASF to be licensed, especially in the context that there has been no commercial vaccine against ASF to be licensed in the world for over 100 years. Therefore, MARD has directed the Department of Animal Health (DAH) and specialized management agencies of provinces, cities, and enterprises to monitor the quality and use of 600,000 doses of vaccine in practical farming conditions and report the results to the Ministry.

As a result, by July 2023, a total of over 650,000 doses of ASF vaccine had been controlled for quality, reaching 100%. ASF vaccines are used safely according to the manufacturer's instructions in more than 40 provinces and cities nationwide. Vaccinated pigs are healthy and grow normally, with a high percentage of ASF-vaccinated pigs having an antibody-producing immune response (average over 95%).

Exporting vaccines to the Dominican Republic and the Philippines

Besides, at the request of some countries, Vietnam has supported, sent experts, and coordinated to organize vaccination with the above-mentioned ASF vaccines. Specifically, the NAVET-ASFVAC vaccine of NAVETCO Company has been used in the Dominican Republic with good results.

The Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic has sent a public letter of thanks and appreciation for the support of Vietnam’s MARD, specialized units, and enterprises. At the same time, they expressed their wish to continue receiving support, aiming to sell ASF vaccines for use in the Dominican Republic.

The AVAC ASF LIVE vaccine of AVAC Company has been used for vaccination in pig herds and has been evaluated with caution in the Philippines. The Philippines’ authority has announced the evaluation result, which is that the vaccine met safety criteria. 100% of pigs vaccinated with AVAC ASF LIVE have an antibody-producing immune response. This week, AVAC Company is expected to export the first batch of 300,000 doses of ASF vaccine to the Philippines.

Researching and producing vaccines for sows and breeding boars

In order to proactively prevent and control ASF and use vaccines safely and effectively, MARD proposed that the Chairman of the People's Committees of provinces and municipalities direct the locality’s departments, branches, and authorities at all levels to continue to drastically and synchronously implement measures to prevent and control ASF in accordance with the guiding spirit in documents of the Party and State, regulations of the Law on Veterinary Medicine, and documents guiding the implementation of the Law. In addition, consider and decide on the use of ASF vaccines.

Specifically, the Chairman of the People's Committees of provinces and municipalities, based on the epidemic situation, directs specialized agencies to advise on the use of ASF vaccines to prevent and control epidemics in localities. Organize sampling, monitoring, and evaluation after vaccination against ASF.

It is noticed that during the process of implementing ASF vaccination, the locality’s pig herds may have been infected with the ASF virus in the field and other pathogens but have not shown any clinical symptoms. Therefore, when pig herds are vaccinated against ASF, they are likely to react, get sick, die, and be forced to handle the outbreak and destroy the diseased pigs according to regulations.

It is also necessary to direct specialized agencies to closely coordinate with local authorities, NAVETCO Company, and AVAC Company in deploying and using the ASF vaccine in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Report the results of using ASF vaccines as well as promptly send a document that fully and accurately reflects difficulties and problems to MARD through DAH for coordination and handling.

NAVETCO Company and AVAC Company are directed to develop a plan to produce and supply ASF vaccines according to the needs of domestic use and export, ensuring quality, safety, and effectiveness in accordance with regulations.

Two companies are also responsible for testing the quality of all ASF vaccine batches produced before they are put into business and used. At the same time, continue to coordinate sending vaccine samples to the National Centre for Veterinary Drugs and Bio-Products Control No. 1 under DAH to test the quality of at least 10 consecutively produced batches of vaccines. Guide localities on technical criteria and the selection of pigs that meet the conditions for vaccination against ASF.

Actively monitor the quality of vaccines and take responsibility for the quality of vaccines when they are supplied to the market. Have an available response plan to overcome unexpected risks that occur when using the ASF vaccine.

Continue to work closely with international partners and related units to research and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of ASF vaccines on different pig objects and at different ages, as well as the stability and prolongation of vaccine shelf life.

DAH shall direct, guide, and provide technical support to localities and enterprises in the quality control and use of ASF vaccines. Coordinate with international experts, especially US experts, to continue to support enterprises in researching and producing ASF vaccines for other pig objects (sows, breeding boars) at different ages. Research and evaluate the use of ASF vaccines in the field.

The AVAC ASF LIVE vaccine is an attenuated, freeze-dried vaccine. The vaccine virus is grown on DMAC cell line medium developed by AVAC JSC. The AVAC ASF LIVE vaccine is recommended for use as a single injection for market hogs at 4 weeks of age and older. Do not use in breeding pigs (gilts, sows, and boars). After 2-4 weeks of injecting the single dose of AVAC ASF LIVE vaccine, pigs begin to be protected, and the protection period lasts at least five months.

The NAVET-ASFVAC vaccine is an attenuated, freeze-dried vaccine. The vaccine virus is grown on a medium of primary cells obtained from pigs. The NAVET-ASFVAC vaccine is recommended for use as a two-injection procedure. The first dose is given to piglets at 8–10 weeks, and the second dose is repeated 21–30 days after the first injection. The period of protection after two doses of the NAVET-ASFVAC vaccine is about six months.