New tuberculosis vaccines could save 7.3 million lives by 2050, Gavi says

New tuberculosis (TB) vaccines expected to become available from 2029 could save an estimated 7.3 million lives between 2030 and 2050 and unlock up to US$ 135 billion in economic benefits across low- and middle-income countries, according to a press release issued on 14 September 2026 by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The findings come from new analysis on the potential impact of next-generation TB vaccines. Gavi describes these tools as a breakthrough in fighting the world’s deadliest infectious disease. The organization warned, however, that action must be taken now to ensure that countries with the highest disease burden secure adequate access. The vaccines could become one of the most impactful new immunization tools in decades.

In 2024, the world recorded 10.7 million tuberculosis cases and 1.2 million tuberculosis deaths, with the burden falling overwhelmingly on low- and middle-income countries. Gavi-supported countries accounted for an estimated 77% of all deaths. The only currently licensed vaccine, Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), is over 100 years old. While BCG is effective in protecting infants and young children against severe forms of the disease, its protection wanes over time. This gap highlights the need for new tools to prevent the manifestation of TB among adolescents and adults.

Gavi published its Early Market Shaping Roadmap for novel TB Vaccines to prepare governments and manufacturers for the vaccines’ arrival. According to the Roadmap, demand among low- and middle-income countries could reach, on average, 86 million vaccination courses per year. Demand is expected to be greater in the early years as high-burden countries seek to expand protection across multiple age groups in high-risk areas. The new vaccines are designed to prevent infectious pulmonary TB disease among adolescents and adults. Combined with other prevention measures, they could accelerate progress against the disease.

“Novel TB vaccines could be the next blockbuster immunisation tool, however they will only realise their potential if we are able to ensure sufficient, predictable and affordable supply for those countries with the highest disease burden,” said Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

She added that Gavi is beginning to work with partners now to lay the groundwork for timely access when the vaccines become available. The Roadmap identified risks that could hold back rapid rollout once licensure is secured. These include policy risks tied to gaps in evidence, uptake risks from inadequate financing, and supply risks driven by demand uncertainty. Gavi noted such uncertainty could hold back manufacturer capacity investments for late-stage candidates.

To address these risks, Gavi outlined three objectives drawing on its market-shaping and innovative financing expertise. These are:

• Objective 1: Ensure sufficient, timely, affordable and sustainable supply of novel TB vaccines to meet demand.
• Objective 2: Support widespread uptake that maximises health impact through routine immunisation and targeted catch-up campaigns.
• Objective 3: Encourage a competitive and geographically diverse pipeline of novel TB vaccine candidates, ensuring products meet country preferences.

Several high-burden countries, including some hosting vaccine trials, are already laying the groundwork for rollout. Through the WHO TB Vaccine Accelerator’s Finance & Access working group, Gavi will continue working with partners in its co-lead capacity to bring the new TB vaccines to the people who need them most.