Africa: New 'Blockbuster' Tuberculosis Vaccines Could Save Seven Million Lives by 2050
[GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance] Next-generation TB vaccines, expected to become available from 2029, could deliver major health and economic gains, helping to save an estimated 7.3 million lives, generate up to US$ 135 billion in economic benefits for low-and middle-income countries by 2050, and support efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. Action must be taken now to ensure that countries…
New tuberculosis vaccines, anticipated to arrive in 2029, could potentially save up to 7.3 million lives between 2030 and 2050, according to a new analysis. This breakthrough could yield an economic benefit of up to US$135 billion for low- and middle-income nations. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, emphasizes the urgency of preparedness for these vaccines' arrival, projecting demand for vaccination courses of up to 86 million annually, primarily in high-burden countries.
Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, underscores the importance of securing affordable and predictable supply for countries with the highest disease burden. Currently, the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is the only licensed option, but its protective efficacy diminishes over time, underscoring the need for newer vaccines targeting adolescents and adults.
While new candidates may receive regulatory approval by the end of the decade, challenges such as policy, financing, and supply risks could hinder their rapid rollout. To mitigate these risks, Gavi outlines three objectives: ensuring supply, promoting uptake, and fostering a diverse vaccine pipeline. Meanwhile, high-burden countries are already preparing for vaccine availability.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
