Manila, Sept. 2 -- AVAC live vaccines against African swine fever (ASF) may now be commercially available following approval from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

In a statement Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said this is a significant move in advancing recovery and repopulation efforts in the local hog industry.

"The availability of a commercially approved ASF vaccine is crucial to our repopulation program," he said.

"It gives hog raisers another tool to protect healthy animals as we work to rebuild the industry and secure a more stable supply of pork."

AVAC live vaccines from Vietnam, developed by the AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company, are the first ASF vaccine to secure the government's approval for c...