Africa: New 'Blockbuster' Tuberculosis Vaccines Could Save Seven Million Lives by 2050

What the report says

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, says next-generation tuberculosis vaccines could become available from 2029 and may significantly reduce the global burden of TB by 2050. In a roadmap released in Geneva on 14 September 2026, the organization said new modeling suggests the vaccines could help save an estimated 7.3 million lives between 2030 and 2050 and generate up to US$135 billion in economic benefits for low- and middle-income countries.

The report highlights the scale of the disease and the need for additional prevention tools, especially in countries with the highest TB burden. Gavi said the one licensed vaccine now in use, BCG, has limited protection for adolescents and adults, leaving a gap that newer vaccines are designed to fill. The organization said demand could average 86 million vaccination courses per year in low-income and middle-income countries, with especially strong early demand in high-burden settings.

Gavi warned that work must begin now to avoid delays once the vaccines are approved. It identified risks including financing gaps, limited evidence for policy decisions, and uncertainty that could slow manufacturing investment. The alliance said it will focus on ensuring supply, supporting country rollout through routine immunization and catch-up campaigns, and encouraging a diverse pipeline of vaccine candidates. The broader context is that TB remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, and new vaccines are seen as a potentially important addition to existing control efforts.