NAVET-ASFVAC is manufactured by the Navetco National Veterinary Joint Stock Company (NAVETCO). (Photo: VNA)The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development(MARD) held a ceremony in Hanoi on June 3 to announce the outcomes of the researchand production of the vaccine named NAVET-ASFVAC manufactured by Navetco National VeterinaryJoint Stock Company (NAVETCO).
An African swine fever outbreak was first detected inVietnam in February 2019, and then spread to all 63 provinces and cities nationwide, causing morethan 6 million pigs to be culled.
The disease cost Vietnam over 30 trillion VND (1.29billion USD) in losses, and affected the national consumer price index (CPI) in2020. Currently, it is still reported in many localities nationwide.
Vietnam began working on researching and producingthe vaccine in February 2020 with the help of US experts. Following lab trials,the vaccine has proved to be able to protect at least 80 percent of immunisedpigs, which retain immunity for six months.
The ministry enlisted several scientific councilsand scientists to evaluate its effectiveness.
Last month, an agency representing US scientistssent a letter to Vietnam, affirming that NAVETCO’s vaccine research andevaluation match the results they produced.
The vaccine will first be sold on a small scale andgiven to around 600,000 pigs aged between 8-10 weeks. Following anevaluation, the ministry will consider nationwide distribution.
In his remarks, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper laudedcooperation between the two countries in addressing such a global issue,stressing that US scientists will continue their cooperation with Vietnam.
At the ceremony, the MARD handed over a licence forcommercial vaccine circulation to NAVETCO.
Apart from NAVETCO, Avac Vietnam One Member Ltd(Avac) and Dabaco Group JSC are also capable to research and produce the ASF vaccine.
Vietnam expects to license two other African swine vaccinesby the end of this year./.
VNA
