{"id":18105,"date":"2026-05-20T09:17:51","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T02:17:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vietstock.org\/?p=18105"},"modified":"2026-05-19T13:22:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T06:22:22","slug":"domestic-asf-vaccine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vietstock.org\/en\/industry-news\/domestic-asf-vaccine\/","title":{"rendered":"Domestic ASF Vaccine: Effectiveness and Proper Use"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vietnam\u2019s Domestic ASF Vaccine After Field Rollout: Effectiveness, Limitations & Lessons for Proper Use<\/b><\/h1>\n
\"Veterinary
Veterinary staff preparing vaccines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

African swine fever (ASF) remains one of the biggest threats to Vietnam\u2019s pig farming industry. Since ASF first appeared in Vietnam in 2019, millions of pigs have had to be culled, causing major economic losses for the livestock sector. In this context, Vietnam\u2019s development and use of a domestically produced ASF vaccine marks an important step in adding another disease prevention tool.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the ASF vaccine is not a replacement for biosecurity. After the field rollout phase, the key question is not only whether the vaccine works, but under what farm conditions, for which groups of pigs, and with what usage process it can be effective.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is AVAC ASF LIVE, and why did Vietnam develop a domestic ASF vaccine?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Technical characteristics of AVAC ASF LIVE<\/b><\/h3>\n

AVAC ASF LIVE is a freeze-dried, live attenuated vaccine used to prevent African swine fever. It was researched and produced by AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company. It is one of the ASF vaccines that has been commercialized and used under field conditions, while many other ASF vaccines globally are still in the research, testing, or evaluation stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to AVAC\u2019s product information, the vaccine contains the attenuated ASFV strain ASF-G-\u0394MGF, cultured on the DMAC cell line developed by AVAC. The vaccine is indicated for active immunization against African swine fever in healthy market pigs from 4 weeks of age and older.<\/span><\/p>\n

The product is administered by intramuscular injection. Each dose after reconstitution is 2 ml. The vaccine must be reconstituted with the accompanying Avac Diluent and should not be reconstituted with any other diluent unless instructed by the manufacturer or veterinary authorities. It should be stored at 2\u20138\u00b0C, protected from direct sunlight, and used according to the manufacturer\u2019s instructions.<\/span><\/p>\n

One important point to emphasize is that AVAC ASF LIVE should not be used indiscriminately for every group of pigs. Farmers should check the current product leaflet and consult veterinary staff before vaccination, especially if they want to use it for groups outside the standard indication, such as breeding pigs, sows, or breeding boars.<\/span><\/p>\n

Protection mechanism and limitations that need to be understood correctly<\/b><\/h3>\n

A live attenuated ASF vaccine is expected to stimulate an active immune response, helping pigs better resist ASF virus after vaccination in the right target group, according to the correct procedure, and after sufficient time for immunity to develop.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, immunity does not appear immediately after vaccination. According to product information, pigs usually need around 2\u20134 weeks after one dose to develop protective immunity. The stated duration of protection may last up to around 5 months. During the first 2\u20134 weeks after vaccination, the herd still needs to be protected strictly through biosecurity, because vaccination does not mean the pigs are fully protected right away.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, the vaccine cannot work well if pigs have already been infected with field ASF virus, are in the incubation period, are under severe stress, are malnourished, are co-infected with other diseases, or are living in an environment with very high pathogen pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n

The rollout context of Vietnam\u2019s domestic ASF vaccine<\/b><\/h3>\n

AVAC ASF LIVE has been licensed for circulation in Vietnam and has been used in real-world conditions. The initial rollout focused on farms with suitable monitoring capacity, proper vaccine storage conditions, a relatively good biosecurity foundation, and supervision from professional veterinary staff or authorities.<\/span><\/p>\n

This rollout approach reflects the nature of ASF vaccination: it is a disease prevention tool that must be used under controlled conditions. It is not a solution for uncontrolled mass vaccination. A live attenuated vaccine requires stricter storage, reconstitution, vaccination technique, and post-vaccination monitoring than many common veterinary vaccines.<\/span><\/p>\n

After the field rollout phase, the most important lesson is that vaccine effectiveness depends on the entire management system around it: herd health status, biosecurity, vaccine storage, injection technique, timing of vaccination, and post-vaccination monitoring.<\/span><\/p>\n

How should the field effectiveness data of Vietnam\u2019s domestic ASF vaccine be understood?<\/b><\/h2>\n
\"Farm
Farm staff are monitoring the status of the pigs in the barn, supporting more effective management of health and breeding conditions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Results under controlled conditions and field conditions<\/b><\/h3>\n

Under experimental or controlled monitoring conditions, AVAC ASF LIVE has been reported to show promising protection and immune response results. However, when applied in the field, farm conditions vary greatly. Some farms have strong biosecurity, while others still have many gaps. Some herds are healthy, while others are under pressure from PRRS, PCV2, parasites, or mycotoxins in feed.<\/span><\/p>\n

For this reason, results from trials should not be understood as a guaranteed level of protection for every farm. In the field, the vaccine usually works better when pigs are healthy, vaccinated in the right target group, the vaccine is stored at the correct temperature, reconstituted with the correct diluent, injected using proper technique, and the farm has a strong enough biosecurity foundation.<\/span><\/p>\n

In contrast, on farms with weak biosecurity, circulating pathogens, new pigs introduced without quarantine, uncontrolled feed or drinking water, or vaccination carried out when suspicious clinical signs are already present, vaccination results may be lower than expected.<\/span><\/p>\n

The key point is this: no ASF vaccine provides 100% absolute protection under all conditions. The vaccine is an additional layer of defense, not a replacement for biosecurity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Comparing AVAC ASF LIVE with other ASF vaccines or ASF vaccine candidates<\/b><\/h3>\n

AVAC ASF LIVE should not be compared with \u201cimported ASF vaccines\u201d in a broad or absolute way unless there is clear legal information about the product, country of origin, marketing authorization, and permitted use conditions in Vietnam. A safer comparison is to compare AVAC ASF LIVE with other ASF vaccines or ASF vaccine candidates being studied around the world.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Criteria<\/b><\/td>\nAVAC ASF LIVE<\/b><\/td>\nOther ASF vaccines \/ ASF vaccine candidates<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Origin<\/span><\/td>\nVietnam<\/span><\/td>\nDepends on the product or country of research<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vaccine type<\/span><\/td>\nLive attenuated, freeze-dried<\/span><\/td>\nMay be live attenuated, vector-based, subunit-based, or another platform depending on the study<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Strain \/ technology<\/span><\/td>\nASF-G-\u0394MGF, cultured on the DMAC cell line according to AVAC information<\/span><\/td>\nDepends on each product or candidate<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Target use<\/span><\/td>\nHealthy market pigs from 4 weeks of age and older, according to current guidance<\/span><\/td>\nDepends on the registration dossier and approval of each product<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Data in Vietnam<\/span><\/td>\nHas domestic use data and continues to be monitored<\/span><\/td>\nShould not be assumed if there is no field data in Vietnam<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Storage conditions<\/span><\/td>\n2\u20138\u00b0C, protected from direct sunlight<\/span><\/td>\nDepends on the product<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Important note<\/span><\/td>\nDo not use outside the product indication without professional guidance<\/span><\/td>\nApproval documents and official instructions must be checked<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The advantage of a domestic vaccine is greater control over supply, distribution, and use data under Vietnamese conditions. However, to conclude long-term field advantages, data still needs to be monitored across more regions, farm models, and different levels of epidemiological pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cases where the vaccine may not work effectively: common causes<\/b><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Immune failure after ASF vaccination may occur if farmers treat the vaccine as an \u201cabsolute shield\u201d and ignore the basic conditions needed for it to work. Common causes include:<\/span><\/p>\n

Vaccine effectiveness may be affected by incorrect storage or reconstitution<\/b><\/h3>\n

AVAC ASF LIVE must be stored at 2\u20138\u00b0C and protected from direct sunlight. If the cold chain is interrupted, if the vaccine is left at room temperature for too long, or if the reconstituted vaccine is not used within the recommended time, effectiveness may be affected.<\/span><\/p>\n

After reconstitution, the vaccine must be used within the time instructed by the manufacturer. According to product information, the reconstituted vaccine should be used within 3 hours. Do not use any diluent other than the accompanying diluent or a diluent recommended by the manufacturer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vaccination is given to pigs in the incubation period or already infected with ASF<\/b><\/h3>\n

The vaccine does not treat ASF. If the herd already has pigs infected with field virus or pigs in the incubation period, vaccination no longer provides preventive value and may complicate later monitoring and evaluation. When ASF is suspected, the priority should be isolation, reporting to veterinary authorities, sample collection for testing, cleaning and disinfection, and handling according to professional guidance.<\/span><\/p>\n

The herd is co-infected or immunocompromised<\/b><\/h3>\n

Pigs affected by PRRS, PCV2, heavy parasitic infection, malnutrition, heat stress, or mycotoxins in feed may respond poorly to vaccination programs in general. Before implementing ASF vaccination, farms need to stabilize herd health, control underlying diseases, and improve farming conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pathogen pressure on the farm is too high<\/b><\/h3>\n

If ASF virus is already present in the farm environment, equipment, transport vehicles, carcass disposal areas, or surrounding areas, the vaccine will have difficulty performing as expected. When pathogen pressure is too high, biosecurity is the first layer of defense.<\/span><\/p>\n

Farm-level factors that determine the effectiveness of Vietnam\u2019s domestic ASF vaccine<\/b><\/h2>\n

Minimum biosecurity conditions needed before vaccination<\/b><\/h3>\n

The ASF vaccine does not work in isolation. Its effectiveness depends heavily on the farm\u2019s biosecurity foundation, the herd\u2019s health status, pathogen pressure in the environment, and proper compliance with the product instructions. This is also a principle emphasized by Vietnamese livestock and veterinary authorities and WOAH in ASF control.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before deciding to vaccinate, farmers should assess whether their farm meets the following minimum conditions:<\/span><\/p>\n