SA Leads TB Fight by Hosting National Vaccine Rollout Readiness Workshop

South Africa has taken a bold and strategic step in the global fight against Tuberculosis (TB) by convening its first National TB Vaccine Preparedness Workshop, aimed at expediting the country’s readiness for the rollout of next-generation TB vaccines. The two-day workshop, which began today, 23 July 2025, brings together a wide spectrum of stakeholders including health officials, researchers, civil society groups, and global health partners.

The workshop is being held under the auspices of the Department of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), and marks a significant milestone in the country’s alignment with the WHO’s ‘End TB Strategy’, which aims to eliminate TB as a public health threat by 2035.

A Renewed Urgency to End TB

Despite being preventable and treatable, Tuberculosis remains one of the leading causes of death from infectious disease, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. South Africa is among the nations with the highest TB burden, accounting for a substantial portion of global cases and deaths. According to the Department of Health, TB continues to be a major contributor to ill health and mortality, particularly among vulnerable populations.

The workshop is taking place at a crucial time when multiple new TB vaccine candidates are in the late stages of clinical trials. Some of these vaccines are expected to be ready for deployment within the next few years. In this context, the gathering is viewed as a platform to ensure that South Africa is among the first countries globally to roll out these life-saving tools to its population—especially adolescents and adults, who are not protected by the current infant-targeted vaccine.

Moving Beyond the Century-Old BCG Vaccine

Currently, the only licensed TB vaccine is the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which has been used for over 100 years and primarily protects infants and young children against severe forms of TB. However, its efficacy wanes in older age groups, and it does not effectively prevent the transmission of TB among adults.

New vaccine candidates are being developed to close this critical gap. With global support and scientific momentum accelerating, countries like South Africa are taking steps to build policy, supply chain, financing, and healthcare delivery systems to absorb these innovations rapidly once they are approved.

Multisectoral Engagement for Coordinated Action

The workshop is attended by a wide array of participants, including:

• Scientists and clinical researchers

• Policymakers and government officials

• Academic and public health experts

• TB survivor advocacy groups

• Donor agencies and global funders

• Civil society and community leaders

• National regulatory authorities

This diverse participation underscores the workshop’s central goal: to develop a country-specific roadmap that outlines the institutional, logistical, and societal readiness needed for TB vaccine introduction. Key issues being discussed include:

• Supply chain optimization for vaccine distribution

• Strengthening cold chain and health facility infrastructure

• Developing national funding and co-financing models

• Engaging communities to ensure vaccine acceptance and uptake

• Training health workers for TB vaccine administration

• Aligning regulatory frameworks for rapid vaccine approval

High-Level Commitment and International Support

Minister of Health Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi is scheduled to deliver the keynote address on Thursday, 24 July 2025, highlighting the government's strategic vision and political will to lead the region in TB prevention innovation. He will be joined by WHO Representative to South Africa, Dr. Shenaaz El-Halabi, and senior officials from the Health Department and WHO.

“This is the first national meeting of its kind focused exclusively on TB vaccine rollout preparedness,” the department said. “It signals South Africa’s intent to lead from the front in accelerating access to new health technologies.”

Looking Forward

The TB Vaccine Preparedness 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 and proactive governance 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 programmes in Africa, saving countless lives and advancing the global goal of eliminating TB within a decade.