Despite progress in TB control efforts, the global burden of TB remains high, with an estimated 10.6 million new cases and 1.6 million deaths in 2021 alone. New safe, effective, affordable, and accessible TB vaccines could be a game changer in the fight against TB and contribute to the WHO End TB Strategy targets for reduction of disease burden, with the goal of building a world without TB.
However, the successful introduction and scale-up of a new TB vaccine will depend on the readiness of target countries to implement and deliver the vaccine. With approximately 17 TB vaccine candidates in the pipeline, of which six are in phase 3 development and vaccines containing a new class of TB vaccines intended for adolescents and adults, there is an urgent need to assess TB vaccine readiness in target countries. If a vaccine becomes available, the key challenge will be to ensure that it reaches the populations who most need it.
Determining what the best approach will be for introducing the vaccine to the population will be crucial. KNCV contributes to the development of TB vaccines through research, implementation, and improving health system readiness, so we can help pave the way for a successful vaccine rollout to protect the world’s most vulnerable people.
Ways in which KNCV supports TB vaccine readiness:
- Bridging the gap between frameworks and implementation by identifying the actions necessary to effectively roll out a TB vaccine (once available)
- Ensuring the highest public health impact whilst taking context and current capacity – spanning from the national to the health facility levels- into account
- Leveraging KNCV’s experience in implementations and health systems strengthening
- Improving countries’ self-sufficiency and reliance
- Aligning with WHO framework TB vaccine readiness