Solon raises alarm over ASF vaccines for alleged mutation risks

MANILA, Philippines — Citing veterinary experts, a lawmaker on Wednesday expressed grave concern about the purported risks in the usage of African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccines developed by AVAC Vietnam (AVAC).

During the House quinta committee’s hearing, Iloilo 4th District Rep. Ferjenel Biron said 47,000 of the 500,000 imported vaccines have already been used to inoculate growers, while the rest are still with the importer, according to the latest data from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Biron, however, pointed out that veterinary experts earlier recommended Food and Drug Administration - Center for Drug Regulation and Research (CDRR) head Maria Cecilia C. Matienzo to disapprove the use of the vaccine.

READ: Vietnam to send its swine fever vaccine to Philippines

“And yet a CPR (certificate of product registration) was issued in violation, in clear violation of the rules and regulations of the FDA,” Biron lamented.

“I would like to express a very grave concern on your trials involving ASF vaccines,” he told DA - Bureau of Animal and Industry (BAI) officer-in-charge Director Dr. Christian Daquigan.

The lawmaker claimed that the BAI was given a “full sense of security” that the vaccines are “safe and efficacious,” when in fact, he said that “it has a potential risk of mutation” since ASF is a live virus.

Asked for the results of the initial trials, Daquigan told the committee that he has yet to submit them.

Biron then questioned Matienzo.

"Can you confirm what our vet experts said in yesterday’s hearing, that they recommended the disapproval of this ASF vaccine?” he asked.

“No,” Matienzo answered.

The CDRR head claimed that the recommendation forwarded to her by these experts was not a disapproval, but a copy of the CPR.

“That’s the reason why I signed it,” she said.

Based on the findings issued by the former head of the CDRR, Biron asserted that the FDA denied the initial application of the importer of the AVAC vaccines last year.

“Then the importer reapplied, and the same re-application was denied. But for a miraculous reason, a CPR was issued. The FDA should be held accountable,” the lawmaker added.

“This is a criminal offense. I would advise the good secretary to look into this because you're placing everyone at risk and we’re spending billions for a vaccine that is not acceptable and a vaccine that failed in the standard set by no less than our FDA,” he further said.

For his part, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said this was the first time he had heard such concern and assured the panel that he would look into it.

(2025/06/11-16:29)