New TB vaccine trial brings hope as Health Department readies South Africa for historic breakthrough.
The Department of Health has welcomed progress towards the development of a new tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, saying preparations are under way to ensure South Africans can access it if clinical trials prove successful.
The M72/ASO1E vaccine, which aims to prevent TB disease among adolescents and adults, is currently undergoing phase three trials in South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi and Indonesia.
The department said the vaccine could be a major breakthrough in the fight against TB, both globally and in South Africa, where the disease remains a significant public health challenge.
Currently, the only available TB vaccine is the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which is administered to newborn infants and children under five years old. However, it provides limited protection against TB later in life.
