MANILA: Following the successful rollout of 10,000 doses of AVAC live vaccines against African swine fever (ASF), the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced its plans to distribute an additional 150,000 doses under government-controlled vaccinations. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed the completion of the initial distribution and outlined the procedures for the upcoming rollout during an ambush interview.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DA had previously expanded its vaccination program to cover healthy and ASF-negative hogs in regions beyond Batangas, including Laguna and Central Luzon. The new batch of 150,000 doses is anticipated to bolster these efforts, although the vaccines have not yet been delivered to the country, as noted by the DA chief.

Further details from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) indicate that 465 barangays remain under red zones, signifying active ASF cases, across the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, and Soccsksargen.
These areas continue to be monitored closely as the DA progresses with its vaccination campaign.