Beyond the big vaccine: exploring novel approaches to tuberculosis prevention and control across african countries
1
Department of Research, Global Empathy Project, Lusaka, Zambia
2
Reproductive Health, Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences (including Health and Agriculture), Ibadan, Nigeria
3
Public Health, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria
4
Department of Theriogenology, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
5
Pure and Applied Chemistry, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
tuberculosis (tb) remains a major cause of illness and death in africa, intensified by hiv co-infection, poverty, and fragile health systems. while the bacillus calmette-guérin (bcg) vaccine has reduced severe pediatric tb, its limited efficacy against adult pulmonary tb and waning immunity highlight the need for new strategies. this review evaluates advances in vaccines, diagnostics, treatments, and public health approaches for tb control beyond bcg vaccination in african settings.
METHODS:
a systematic review was conducted following prisma guidelines. peer-reviewed articles, industrial case studies, and policy briefs published between 2010 and 2025 were retrieved from pubmed, scopus, web of science, and google scholar using predefined keywords including “tb vaccine development,” “diagnostic,” “treatment protocols,” and “africa tb control.” inclusion criteria were studies addressing public health interventions relevant to tb in africa. exclusion criteria were studies outside the region or lacking sustainability focus. data extraction and thematic synthesis were organized into four domains: vaccines, diagnostics, treatment, and health system strategies.
RESULTS:
twenty-eight eligible studies were included. novel vaccine candidates such as m72/as01e and vpm1002 demonstrated enhanced immunogenicity, with efficacy rates up to 1.64 times higher than bcg in adult cohorts. diagnostic innovations including genexpert, point-of-care assays, and ai-assisted imaging reduced diagnostic delays by an average of 7 days. short-course preventive regimens (3 hp, 1 hp) achieved adherence rates above 85 percent, while bpal therapy showed 78 percent success in multidrug-resistant tb. community-based care models improved patient retention by 22 percent. socioeconomic interventions, one health frameworks, and digital monitoring technologies further strengthened tb control outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS:
advancing beyond bcg requires integrated biomedical innovation, strengthened health systems, and interdisciplinary collaboration. novel vaccines, rapid diagnostics, optimized treatment regimens, and community-driven approaches significantly reduce tb burden in africa. policy reform, investment in african-led research, and equitable access to new technologies are essential for sustained tb control.
tuberculosis (tb) remains a major cause of illness and death in africa, intensified by hiv co-infection, poverty, and fragile health systems. while the bacillus calmette-guérin (bcg) vaccine has reduced severe pediatric tb, its limited efficacy against adult pulmonary tb and waning immunity highlight the need for new strategies. this review evaluates advances in vaccines, diagnostics, treatments, and public health approaches for tb control beyond bcg vaccination in african settings.
METHODS:
a systematic review was conducted following prisma guidelines. peer-reviewed articles, industrial case studies, and policy briefs published between 2010 and 2025 were retrieved from pubmed, scopus, web of science, and google scholar using predefined keywords including “tb vaccine development,” “diagnostic,” “treatment protocols,” and “africa tb control.” inclusion criteria were studies addressing public health interventions relevant to tb in africa. exclusion criteria were studies outside the region or lacking sustainability focus. data extraction and thematic synthesis were organized into four domains: vaccines, diagnostics, treatment, and health system strategies.
RESULTS:
twenty-eight eligible studies were included. novel vaccine candidates such as m72/as01e and vpm1002 demonstrated enhanced immunogenicity, with efficacy rates up to 1.64 times higher than bcg in adult cohorts. diagnostic innovations including genexpert, point-of-care assays, and ai-assisted imaging reduced diagnostic delays by an average of 7 days. short-course preventive regimens (3 hp, 1 hp) achieved adherence rates above 85 percent, while bpal therapy showed 78 percent success in multidrug-resistant tb. community-based care models improved patient retention by 22 percent. socioeconomic interventions, one health frameworks, and digital monitoring technologies further strengthened tb control outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS:
advancing beyond bcg requires integrated biomedical innovation, strengthened health systems, and interdisciplinary collaboration. novel vaccines, rapid diagnostics, optimized treatment regimens, and community-driven approaches significantly reduce tb burden in africa. policy reform, investment in african-led research, and equitable access to new technologies are essential for sustained tb control.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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