Geneva, November 12, 2025 – The World health Organization (WHO) today released a report calling for urgent, coordinated action to ensure equitable global access to new tuberculosis (TB) vaccines once they become available. The report outlines key strategies to mobilize financing, synchronize supply and demand, and promote technology transfer to accelerate vaccine rollout, especially in high-burden regions.
According to WHO modeling, a TB vaccine with 50% efficacy could avert up to 76 million TB cases, 8.5 million deaths, 42 million courses of antibiotics, and US$42 billion in household costs over 25 years.
The report focuses on four critical areas: clarifying available domestic and donor financing commitments to identify resource gaps; establishing a coordination platform for stakeholders – including manufacturers, financiers, and countries – supported by shared roadmaps and regular dialogue; sharing key product supply facts (excluding commercially sensitive data) to support country planning and build trust; and promoting technology transfer and licensing to at least one manufacturer in each high-burden region to strengthen regional supply security and vaccine acceptance.
The growth and implementation of financing and access strategies by countries is deemed essential for equitable access. WHO will lead this effort through the Finance and Access Working Group, building on existing collaboration with stakeholders.
Further updates on TB developments are available through the TB CAB Weekly Newsletter (Issue #34, 9 November 2025), published by the Global TB Community Advisory board (TB CAB) with support from Treatment Action group (TAG) and the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG). https://mailchi.mp/eab9e2a98a71/tb-cab-weekly-newsletter-34-2025?e=9cfc8b5c3b
