At Livestock Philippines 2025, Informa Markets hosted the forum “From Policies to Practice – Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance Together,” spotlighting strategies to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animal agriculture and public health.

Dr. Michael Constante, National Veterinary Services Manager – Poultry at Ceva Animal Health Philippines Inc., presented “Vaccination as an Alternative to Antibiotics,” emphasizing the distinct roles of vaccines and antibiotics. Vaccines prevent diseases by priming the immune system, while antibiotics treat bacterial infections after animals fall ill. Misusing antibiotics—especially for viral infections—accelerates AMR.

Dr. Constante highlighted vaccination as a key strategy to reduce antibiotic use and curb AMR. Even vaccines for viral diseases help by preventing secondary bacterial infections, lowering the need for antibiotics. Vaccination also promotes herd immunity, protecting vulnerable animals.

A major challenge in early-life vaccination is maternal antibody interference. Ceva’s immune-complex vaccines, like the Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) vaccine for poultry, overcome this by shielding antigens from maternal antibodies, ensuring effective immune responses. Similar innovations for pigs are in development.

Globally, vaccination is recognized by organizations like WOAH, FAO, and WHO as a cost-effective, sustainable approach to combat AMR. Ceva continues to advance vaccine technologies to support this mission.