South Africa: South Africa Prepares for Potential New Adult TB Vaccine

What the report says

South Africa’s Department of Health says it is preparing for the possible rollout of a new adult tuberculosis vaccine, while welcoming progress in global vaccine development. The update, reported by SAnews.gov.za and distributed by AllAfrica, says the department wants to be ready for registration and introduction if the vaccine clears trials and regulatory review.

The vaccine candidate, known as M72/AS01E, has reportedly shown promise in earlier testing and is now in Phase 3 trials in South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi and Indonesia. Health officials described a successful vaccine for adolescents and adults as potentially important for TB control, especially because the current BCG vaccine is mainly used for newborns and young children and offers limited later protection.

The department also said it had been told that the Gates Medical Research Institute and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation reached an agreement with the Serum Institute of India on global production volumes. According to the report, the arrangement also anticipates future manufacturing by partners in South Africa and Indonesia, which officials said could support local economic activity.

More broadly, the development fits into South Africa’s stated goal of ending TB as a public health threat by 2030. As with any vaccine candidate still in trials, however, availability will depend on final study results and approval by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority.