Indonesia Joins Phase 3 TB Vaccine Trials Funded by Bill Gates

Indonesia has been selected as a trial country for a tuberculosis (TB) vaccine developed with support from Bill Gates and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The TB vaccine, known as M72/AS01E, is currently in phase 3 clinical trials, which aim to evaluate its safety and effectiveness before mass production, with Indonesia joining other high TB-burden countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, India, and parts of Africa in the research. Indonesian authorities, including President Prabowo Subianto and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, emphasize the urgent need for this vaccine due to the high number of TB cases and deaths in Indonesia, which reaches nearly 100,000 fatalities annually. Support from Indonesian lawmakers and medical experts highlights confidence in the vaccine's safety and the importance of developing a more effective alternative to the century-old BCG vaccine, which currently only protects children. Bill Gates expressed commitment to addressing TB in Indonesia and noted the significance of trial sites in determining the vaccine's efficacy. The collaboration reflects Indonesia's dedication to reducing TB mortality through innovative vaccination efforts and ongoing health programs.