Pretoria – The new “M72/ASOIE vaccine” to prevent tuberculosis (TB) in adolescents and adults is expected to be a game changer for control and elimination of the disease in South Africa and the rest of the world.
At the weekend, the Department of Health stated that it welcomes progress made toward a new TB vaccine and confirmed preparatory work to ensure timely access for South Africans.
The department said the development was part of ongoing efforts to eliminate the TB epidemic as a public health threat by the year 2030.
In a statement made available to The Bulrushes on Sunday, 2 August 2026, the department said the “M72/ASOIE vaccine showed promise in phase 1 and phase 2 trials and is now in phase 3 trials in South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Malawi and Indonesia”.
The department said once approved, it will be the first TB vaccine introduced in over a century.
“Currently we have only the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which is given to newborn infants and children under 5 years old and offers limited protection later in life,” the statement said.
“Therefore, to ensure we can offer protection to South Africans at the earliest opportunity if the trial is successful, the Department of Health is proactively preparing for registration and introduction of the new vaccine.”
The department also revealed that it has been informed by officials from the Gates Medical Research Institute and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that an agreement has been reached with the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer – the Serum Institute of India – about the number of doses produced and sold globally of the TB vaccine.
“This agreement also provides for progressive production by pharmaceutical partners in South Africa and Indonesia over time, and this will consequently boost the economic growth of our country,” the statement said.
“This is arguably a major step toward a new TB vaccine — the first significant advance since BCG more than 100 years ago.”
The department said it welcomes this important agreement and stands ready to support the production and introduction of the M72/ASO1E vaccine in South Africa “once the trial results are known and the vaccine has been registered by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority”.
