Tuberculosis, known as TB, has reemerged as the world’s biggest infectious killer, raising concerns about the ongoing battle against this ancient disease. Health experts are now turning their hopes towards long-awaited trials for a potential new vaccine that could revolutionize the fight against TB.

For over 40 millennia, TB has plagued humanity, claiming an estimated 1.5 million lives in 2022 alone. The disease disproportionately affects individuals in developing and middle-income countries, often leading to slow and agonizing deaths as lungs deteriorate over months or years.

Despite being treatable with antibiotics, TB remains a significant threat due to drug affordability issues and the rise of drug-resistant strains. The current TB vaccine, BCG, developed over a century ago, offers only partial protection and is ineffective in adults and against the most common form of the disease.

However, a new ray of hope has emerged in the form of the M72/AS01E vaccine candidate, also known as M72. Researchers in South Africa have initiated field trials to assess the vaccine’s efficacy in real-world conditions. While the trial is expected to span up to five years, the potential impact of the M72 vaccine on the global TB epidemic has sparked enthusiasm among health professionals worldwide.

Despite promising results from earlier phase two trials in 2018, the development of the M72 vaccine has been hindered by funding constraints. However, the prospect of millions of lives being saved in the future underscores the urgency of advancing research and securing necessary resources to combat TB effectively.