The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) welcomed the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the country’s first avian influenza (AI) vaccine.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr called the approval a major boost to food security and poultry sector resilience.
The vaccine, Volvac B.E.S.T AI plus ND, protects against two deadly poultry diseases: Highly pathogenic AI H5N1 subtype and velogenic Newcastle Disease. The vaccine is from Boehringer Ingelheim.
Targeting two major poultry threats
H5N1 is the most aggressive AI subtype, causing high mortality in chickens and posing risks to human health.
Velogenic ND is highly contagious and often fatal, affecting many bird species, especially domestic poultry.
Volvac B.E.S.T. is injected into the bird’s chest muscle or subcutaneous fat starting at 10 days old. Full immunity develops 10-14 days after vaccination, offering timely protection for growing flocks.
Government collaboration and sector support
Mr Tiu Laurel thanked Health Secretary Ted Herbosa and the FDA Director General Paolo Teston for their role in the approval process.
He emphasized the DA’s close collaboration with the Department of Health and the FDA on livestock vaccine initiatives.
The vaccine’s approval is expected to support agricultural productivity and protect local poultry producers.
The key benefits of Volvac B.E.S.T. include:
- Immunity against HPAI subtype H5N1
- Protection from velogenic ND
- Safe administration at 10 days old
- Full immunity within two weeks
Industry welcomes approval
Poultry industry leaders and stakeholders welcomed the development, pointing out that they have been waiting for the vaccine for some time.
“The AI vaccine approval is a positive step toward controlling and preventing the disease,” Dr Esmi San Pedro, a poultry practitioner, told aviNews Asia.
“Vaccination helps stabilize the supply of poultry meat and eggs, safeguarding farmer livelihoods and food security. Overall, AI vaccination is a cost-effective measure that protects both the industry and public health,” he added.
There are concerns that the AI vaccine might lead to complacency in biosecurity. However, Gregorio San Diego, Chairman Emeritus of the United Broiler Raisers Association, told aviNews Asia this is unlikely. He noted that farms remain highly cautious due to ongoing disease threats, especially within the layer industry.