The Africa Health Institute has called on the South African government to prepare adequately for the roll-out of TB vaccines, which are currently under clinical trials.

The KwaZulu-Natal-based institute is one of the sites for the M72 vaccine trials, which are being conducted in six other countries.

The results of the trials are expected in the next three to four years.

The institute’s director of clinical trials, Professor Limakatso Lebina says, “We have come together to form the TB Vaccine Preparedness Consortium. There is no strong immunisation programme for adolescents and adults and we are discussing those with the health department to say, what is the best approach to reach the people that need the vaccine the most.”

VIDEO | TB Vaccine Preparedness, Preventive Therapy and Clinical Trials: