The Department of Agriculture (DA) welcomed the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of the country’s first vaccine against avian influenza, citing its development as a major breakthrough for the poultry industry.
“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. in a news briefing.
Volvac B.E.S.T. AI plus ND provides immunity against the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 and stimulates the immune system to defend against velogenic Newcastle disease. Both are highly contagious, with H5N1 also transmissible to humans.
The vaccine is administered by injection when the bird is at least 10 days old, with immunity developing after 10 to 14 days.
By protecting flocks from deadly avian influenza and Newcastle disease, it is expected to help safeguard the poultry industry, which generated P362 billion in production value in 2024, including eggs, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Tiu Laurel said the DA, the Department of Health (DOH) and the FDA had worked together to ensure that only safe and effective livestock vaccines enter the market.
“We are confident that more initiatives will be pursued on livestock vaccines and medicines that will strengthen our livestock sector and contribute to food security,” he said.
The DA chief said the initiative is part of a whole-of-government approach under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to boost agricultural productivity, safeguard food safety and protect livelihood in the livestock sector.
