New York: Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, delivered the keynote address at the “Interactive TB Vaccines Dialogue” organized by STOP TB Partnerships. Held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the event convened global experts, dignitaries, and key stakeholders to discuss the future of tuberculosis (TB) vaccines.
The event aimed to bring together relevant global stakeholders to address misconceptions and knowledge gaps surrounding the development and delivery of TB vaccines. With a focus on practical and realistic solutions, the dialogue explored challenges and potential pathways for the development of life-saving vaccines.
In her address, Patel underscored India’s leadership in the global fight against TB, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to eliminating TB by 2030. As the current Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Board, India plays a pivotal role in global efforts to combat the disease. “India is progressing against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) at a far greater pace than the global average, with a decline in TB incidence by 16% and a reduction in TB deaths by 18% since 2015,” she stated.
Highlighting India’s achievements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Smt. Patel noted the expansion of TB infrastructure and financial support through the National Strategic Plan. India’s TB program, which includes over 7,767 molecular diagnostic laboratories and an 88% treatment success rate, has become a model for the world. She referenced the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, a scheme providing $6 USD per month for TB patients’ nutritional support, noting that $373 million has been disbursed to over 10 million patients since 2018.
Patel emphasized the critical need for new TB vaccines, particularly in light of the limitations of the childhood BCG vaccine, which loses effectiveness with age. “Despite our advances, the world still loses millions of lives to TB. The time to invest in innovative vaccines is now,” she urged, pointing to the global push for new solutions.
She noted that around 16 TB vaccine candidates are currently in clinical trials, signaling a hopeful future for vaccine development. India’s own research, including trials for recombinant BCG vaccines like VPM1002 and Immuvac, is a major part of the global effort.
Calling for greater international collaboration, Patel urged stakeholders to ensure equitable access to future TB vaccines, drawing on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. “As chair of the Stop TB Partnership Board, my call to action is to ensure that the world has at least one new and effective TB vaccine in the next year,” she concluded, emphasizing the need for increased funding and global cooperation.