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On July 23, 2025, South Africa hosted its first National Tuberculosis (TB) Vaccine Preparedness Workshop. This event, organized by the Department of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to expedite the country’s readiness for the rollout of next-generation TB vaccines.
The two-day workshop brings together a diverse range of stakeholders including health officials, researchers, civil society groups, and global partners. It aligns with the WHO’s ‘End TB Strategy,’ which seeks to eliminate TB as a public health threat by 2035.
### A Renewed Urgency to End TB
Despite being preventable and treatable, TB remains one of the leading causes of death from infectious diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. South Africa has the highest TB burden, accounting for a significant portion of global cases and deaths. According to the Department of Health, TB is a major contributor to ill health and mortality, especially among vulnerable populations.
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The workshop takes place at a critical time when multiple new TB vaccine candidates are in late-stage clinical trials. Some are expected to be ready for deployment within the next few years. This gathering aims to ensure that South Africa is one of the first countries globally to implement these life-saving tools, particularly for adolescents and adults who are not protected by the current BCG vaccine.
### Moving Beyond the Century-Old BCG Vaccine
Currently, the only licensed TB vaccine is the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which has been in use for over 100 years. While it primarily protects infants and young children against severe forms of TB, its efficacy wanes in older age groups and does not effectively prevent adult TB transmission.
New vaccine candidates are being developed to address these gaps. With global support and scientific momentum, countries like South Africa are building systems to absorb these innovations rapidly once they are approved.
### Multisectoral Engagement for Coordinated Action
The workshop features participation from scientists, policymakers, academic experts, TB survivor advocates, donor agencies, civil society leaders, national regulatory authorities, and more. This diverse attendance underscores the need to develop a country-specific roadmap that outlines institutional, logistical, and societal readiness for TB vaccine introduction.
Key issues being discussed include supply chain optimization, strengthening cold chain infrastructure, developing funding models, engaging communities, training health workers, and aligning regulatory frameworks.
### High-Level Commitment and International Support
Minister of Health Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi will deliver the keynote address on July 24, highlighting the government’s strategic vision and political will to lead the region in TB prevention innovation. He will be joined by WHO Representative Dr. Shenaaz El-Halabi and senior officials from the Health Department and WHO.
### Looking Forward
This workshop positions South Africa as a continental leader in TB innovation and response. By investing early in systems and planning, the country is not only bolstering its own readiness but also providing a regional model for how middle-income nations can leverage partnerships to combat one of the deadliest infectious diseases.
If successfully implemented, the roadmap developed from this meeting could pave the way for one of the largest adult TB vaccination programs in Africa, saving countless lives and advancing the global goal of eliminating TB within a decade.
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