Bird flu vaccine available in PH soon

MANILA  -A vaccine for avian influenza (AI) may soon be available in the Philippines once the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) refines its vaccination guidelines in the next few months, a bureau official said.

BAI assistant director Arlene Vytiaco said the agency would be conducting a series of public consultations for the entry of an AI vaccine into the country to boost efforts to make the Philippines bird flu-free.

“So far, four vaccine manufacturers have already presented to our veterinary technical advisory committee. If ever, we will be issuing them a special import permit to get the vaccines here,” Vytiaco said on the sidelines of the Philippine Poultry Show last week.

According to her, the four manufacturers were qualified and had their AI vaccines registered in their respective countries of origin.

The guidelines for vaccination deployment, however, are still in the works.

Generoso Romo, president of the Philippine College of Poultry Practitioners, said they would lead a series of workshops for industry stakeholders this week before holding a public consultation with the BAI.

Data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) show that the country’s fight against bird flu remains far from over, as Pampanga and Kalinga still have cases. Ilocos Sur, South Cotabato, Quezon and Rizal are AI-free.

The BAI will submit the vaccination guidelines in August to give way to the launch of the Philippine AI Protection Program, Romo said. INQ

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