DA welcomes FDA approval of new bird flu vaccine

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday lauded the Food and Drug Administration’s approval for commercial use of the country’s first vaccine against avian influenza or bird flu.

“With the FDA’s approval of Volvac B.E.S.T. AI plus ND, the poultry sector now has a strong line of defense against a virus that threatens both food security and human health,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

Tiu Laurel also expressed gratitude to Health Secretary Ted Herbosa and FDA Director General (DG) Paolo Teston and the agency’s personnel “for shepherding the long-awaited approval of the vaccine with dedication and competence.”

“The DA, DOH and FDA have always worked closely to ensure that only safe and effective livestock vaccines reach our market. Under DG Teston’s leadership, we are confident that more initiatives will be done in terms of livestock vaccines and medicines that could further strengthen our livestock sector and contribute to our food security,” said the Agriculture chief.

“We are pursuing a whole-of-government approach as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to bolster our agricultural productivity, ensure food safety, and protect the livelihoods of Filipinos in the livestock sector,” added Tiu Laurel.

The vaccine not only provides immunity against the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 but also stimulates the bird’s immune system to defend against velogenic Newcastle disease, according to the DA.

H5N1 is the most aggressive subtype of the bird flu virus, causing high mortality rates in chickens. 

It is also zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted to humans and other animals.

Velogenic Newcastle disease, meanwhile, is the most severe form of Newcastle disease. Highly contagious and often fatal, it affects a wide range of bird species, especially domestic poultry.

Volvac B.E.S.T. is administered by injection, either into the bird’s chest muscle or into subcutaneous fat, according to the Agriculture Department. 

It added the vaccine is given when the bird is at least 10 days old and like most first-time vaccinations, it takes 10 to 14 days for full immunity to develop.

The value of production of the poultry sector in 2024, including eggs, stood at P362 billion, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. —VAL, GMA Integrated News