African swine fever vaccine is allowed for widespread use nationwide.

African swine fever vaccine produced by Navetco Company

To proactively prevent and control African swine fever and use ASF vaccine safely and effectively, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requests the People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities to direct local departments, branches and authorities at all levels to continue to resolutely and synchronously implement disease prevention and control measures in accordance with the direction in documents of the Party and State, regulations of the Law on Veterinary Medicine, documents guiding the implementation of the Law on Veterinary Medicine and consider and decide on the use of ASF vaccine.

Accordingly, the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, based on the epidemic situation, direct specialized agencies to advise on the use of DTLCP vaccines to prevent and control epidemics locally; organize sample collection for monitoring and evaluation after vaccination.

Note that during the implementation of DTLCP vaccination, it is possible that local pig herds have been infected with field DTLCP virus and other pathogens, but have not yet shown clinical symptoms, so when the pig herd is vaccinated with DTLCP vaccine, it is very likely that there will be reactions, illness, death and the outbreak must be handled and the diseased pigs destroyed according to regulations.

Provinces and cities direct specialized agencies to closely coordinate with local authorities, NAVETCO Central Veterinary Medicine Joint Stock Company and AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company in deploying the use of DTLCP vaccines in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Localities report the results of using DTLCP vaccine (if any), as well as promptly send documents fully and accurately reflecting difficulties and problems to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (through the Department of Animal Health) for coordination and handling.

For the Central Veterinary Medicine Joint Stock Company NAVETCO and AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requires the development of a plan to produce and supply DTLCP vaccines according to domestic and export needs, ensuring quality, safety and effectiveness in accordance with regulations.

Enterprises are responsible for testing the quality of all DTLCP vaccine batches produced before putting them into business and use. At the same time, continue to coordinate in sending vaccine samples to the Central Veterinary Drug Testing Center I under the Department of Animal Health to test the quality of at least 10 consecutive vaccine batches produced.

Enterprises guide localities on technical criteria and selection of pigs that meet the conditions for DTLCP vaccination. At the same time, proactively continue to monitor vaccine quality and take responsibility for vaccine quality when supplying to the market; have response plans and be ready to overcome unexpected risks when using DTLCP vaccine.

The two enterprises continue to closely coordinate with international partners and related units to organize research and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of DTLCP vaccine on different pig populations and ages, as well as the stability and shelf life of the vaccine.

Regarding the Department of Animal Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development requests the Department to direct, guide, and provide technical support to localities and enterprises in quality control and use of ASF vaccines. Coordinate with international experts, especially US experts, to continue supporting enterprises in organizing research and production of ASF vaccines for other pig species (sows, boars) of different ages; organize research and evaluation of vaccine use in the field.

There are currently two types of DTLCP vaccines, NAVET-ASFVAC by NAVETCO Central Veterinary Medicine Joint Stock Company and AVAC ASF LIVE by AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company, researched, produced and granted a Certificate of Circulation.

These are the first commercial vaccines to be licensed for circulation against ASF, especially in the context that after more than 100 years, there has not been a licensed commercial vaccine against ASF in the world.

Previously, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development directed the Department of Animal Health and specialized veterinary management agencies of provinces, cities and enterprises to organize quality monitoring and supervise the use of 600,000 doses of vaccine in practical livestock farming conditions in Vietnam.

As of July 2023, more than 650,000 doses of DTLCP vaccine have been 100% quality controlled; used safely according to the manufacturer's instructions in more than 40 provinces and cities nationwide. Vaccinated pigs are all healthy and growing normally, the rate of vaccinated pigs with high antibody response, reaching an average of over 95%.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has held a meeting to evaluate the quality control and use of 600,000 doses of vaccine in more than 40 provinces and cities, with results showing that the vaccine is safe and effective. Based on the provisions of Vietnamese law, it is proposed that the above DTLCP vaccines are eligible for circulation and widespread use nationwide.

In addition, at the request of some countries, Vietnam has supported, sent experts and coordinated the vaccination of the two types of DTLCP vaccines above.

Specifically, the NAVET-ASFVAC vaccine of the Central Veterinary Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company NAVETCO has been used in the Dominican Republic with good results. The Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic has sent a letter of thanks, highly appreciating the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, professional units and Vietnamese enterprises, and hopes to continue receiving support and move towards selling the vaccine for use in the Dominican Republic.

AVAC ASF LIVE vaccine of AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company has been used to vaccinate pig herds and carefully evaluated in the Philippines. The competent authority of the Philippines has announced the results of the vaccine safety assessment, 100% of pigs vaccinated with AVAC ASF LIVE vaccine have immune response to produce antibodies. Currently, the competent authorities of the Philippines are urging Philippine enterprises to urgently complete the procedures for registering to import Vietnamese ASF vaccine.

According to an independent assessment by a team of experts from the US Department of Agriculture in April - May 2023 based on the results of research, production, testing, trials, licensing and monitoring of vaccine use in Vietnam, it was confirmed that the results of research and production of Vietnam's ASF vaccine are similar to those of the US. The organization of assessment and quality control of Vietnam's ASF vaccine (sterility, safety and effectiveness) is in accordance with international standards; including vaccine quality assessment standards developed by scientists and submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE/WOAH) for consideration and approval.

According to VNA