A fresh report unveiled today at the G20 Health Ministers Meeting in Limpopo, South Africa, underscores the urgent need for strategic funding and access plans to deliver new tuberculosis (TB) vaccines to adolescents and adults in countries most affected by the disease.

The publication, titled “Catalyzing Solutions for Equitable Global Access and Sustainable Financing for New Tuberculosis Vaccines for Adults and Adolescents,” offers an unprecedented assessment of the challenges, limitations, and market trends that may hinder timely and fair distribution of these vaccines.

“Innovative TB vaccines have the capacity to save countless lives and reshape the progression of this epidemic,” noted Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). “Through science, global partnerships, and strategic investment, we can pursue our goal to eliminate TB.”

This report was developed by the Finance and Access Working Group of the TB Vaccine Accelerator Council, a collaboration led by WHO, the South African government, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. It outlines six focal strategies to guarantee long-term, fair vaccine availability, such as creating financial tools, producing regional data, attracting investment, encouraging local production in hard-hit areas, and improving transparency in vaccine markets.

Vaccines for older age groups are vital to ramping up efforts against TB, a disease which remains the top infectious killer worldwide. Each year, over 10 million people are diagnosed with TB, and more than a million lose their lives—mostly in low- and middle-income nations. Significantly, around 70% of the disease burden exists within G20 nations and adjacent regions.

Initial Demand for TB Vaccines Expected to Surpass Supply

Despite TB’s widespread impact, no new vaccine has been approved for more than 100 years. The current BCG vaccine, given during infancy in many nations, offers some protection to children but is less effective against pulmonary TB in older populations. As of September 2025, there were at least 16 TB vaccine candidates in development, including six in their final trial phase.

Though progress in vaccine research is promising and some high-risk countries are beginning preparations for future rollouts, access to both vaccine supply and funding remains a pressing challenge. In parallel, manufacturers face uncertainty over how vaccines will be financed and distributed. Additionally, concrete plans for regional vaccine production are still lacking in several of the most affected areas.

The report estimates that the global requirement for TB vaccines could climb beyond 3 billion doses by 2040, largely driven by high-burden nations. However, projected supply in the early years post-approval may not meet this demand, which could slow vaccine delivery and reduce its overall health impact.

Initial procurement costs are estimated between US$ 5 billion and US$ 8 billion for the period between 2030 and 2040. These figures exclude the added investment needed for distributing vaccines and reinforcing healthcare infrastructure. At present, there is no dedicated funding available for the deployment of these new TB vaccines, and both donor agencies and governments will need to make tough choices among competing health priorities.

Addressing Barriers to Equitable Vaccine Access

To resolve these challenges, the report outlines six key approaches to facilitate equal access to future TB vaccines:

• Introduce global financial mechanisms such as advance market commitments and volume guarantees to encourage manufacturers to boost production and offer vaccines at lower rates;

• Generate national-level data early on—such as predictions of vaccine demand, cost-effectiveness studies, and budget impact assessments—to support country-specific decision-making;

• Clarify available funding from domestic budgets and international donors to uncover gaps and advocate for resources where needed;

• Create a platform that brings together manufacturers, funders, and governments, using shared plans and consistent dialogue to coordinate timelines and streamline vaccine rollout;

• Share key information related to vaccine supply—ensuring sensitive business data is protected—so countries can plan effectively and confidently engage in market processes;

• Encourage the transfer of vaccine technology and licensing agreements with local manufacturers in each major TB-affected region to ensure long-term availability and regional trust.

Research projections suggest that a vaccine with 50% effectiveness in preventing TB among adolescents and adults could prevent as many as 76 million new cases, 8.5 million deaths, save 42 million antibiotic treatments, and reduce TB-related household costs by up to US$ 42 billion within 25 years of introduction.

For countries to ensure timely adoption and fair access to these future vaccines, developing appropriate funding and vaccine delivery strategies is essential.

Through collaboration and firm leadership, WHO intends to work alongside all key players in implementing the proposed actions through the Finance and Access Working Group. The organization applauds the continued dedication of the group’s members in shaping a global strategy to bring safe and effective TB vaccines to those who need them most.