South Africa is preparing for the possible rollout of the first new tuberculosis (TB) vaccine in more than 100 years as promising clinical trials move into their final phase.
The Department of Health said it is laying the groundwork for the registration and introduction of the M72/AS01E vaccine should it receive approval after ongoing Phase 3 trials in South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi and Indonesia.
The vaccine has already shown promising results in earlier trials and could become the first TB vaccine introduced since the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which offers limited protection beyond early childhood.
The department also welcomed an agreement between the Gates Medical Research Institute, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Serum Institute of India to produce and supply the vaccine globally, with plans for pharmaceutical partners in South Africa to gradually manufacture doses locally.
Health officials said the vaccine could be a major breakthrough in efforts to eliminate TB as a public health threat by 2030.
No tags for this post.
