It’s been more than 100 years since the BCG vaccine was first introduced as a significant tool in our fight against tuberculosis. While the BCG vaccine is still widely rolled out today, it is largely only effective among infants and young children, leaving adolescents and adults still vulnerable to developing TB. Worldwide, TB is one of the deadliest infectious diseases and leaves millions suffering from extended periods of ill-health and disability, especially in low- and middle-income countries. We speak to Dr Allison Portnoy, Assistant Professor of Global Health at the Boston University School of Public Health, to find out what difference a new TB vaccine could make, and how we can convince governments and pharmaceutical companies that this is an investment worth making. 

Image credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Lim Sue Ann

Presented by: Lim Sue Ann

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Categories:  health policy,  medical advances

Tags:  the bigger picture,  health and living,  globalhealththreats,  tuberculosis,  tb,  vaccination,  immunisation,  vaccine equity,  infectious disease,  health economics,