The year 2026 sees renewed hope in the global fight against tuberculosis (TB): scientific breakthroughs and strengthened partnerships are coming together at a critical moment. On World TB Day 2026, the global community is united behind a powerful message: Yes! We Can End TB.
TB remains a global health emergency
TB continues to pose a severe health burden worldwide. In 2024, an estimated 10.7 million individuals fell ill with TB, and 1.23 million persons lost their lives to the disease in the same year. These data underscore the ongoing need for collective efforts to address the significant impact of TB worldwide.
The century-old Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine has saved countless lives by protecting young children against severe forms of TB. However, more effective vaccines for adolescents and adults are essential to eliminate the disease.
Promising progress in vaccine development
TB vaccine research and development is making very encouraging progress. Two promising vaccine candidates – MTBVAC and M72 – are currently in the final phase of clinical evaluation. TBVI supports the development of the MTBVAC vaccine in newborns which is currently in Phase 3. TBVI facilitates the (pre)clinical development of TB vaccines while also focusing on diversifying the vaccine pipeline, which is essential to ensure development of safe, efficacious, and affordable vaccines. One of the approaches to achieve this is through head-to-head comparison of new vaccine concepts to assess the efficacy of new vaccine candidates.
The present progress is supported by strengthened global partnerships, increased involvement of manufacturers, and coordination among policymakers – all critical components for accelerating innovation.
People-centered TB care
Scientific progress alone is not enough: preparations for vaccine introduction must start well before regulatory approval. Such preparations involve strengthening healthcare system readiness and delivery platforms, collecting country-specific evidence on the impact and cost-effectiveness of vaccines, ensuring equitable access for all population groups and regions, and engaging with local communities to build trust and support vaccine uptake.
Tackling Tuberculosis also demands smarter diagnostics. The EVI-led initiative, DRAIGON, is developing an innovative in vitro diagnostic device that combines whole-genome sequencing with artificial intelligence to enable rapid, near-patient detection of multi-drug resistant infections, a critical capability in the fight against AMR. TB remains one of the leading drivers of AMR-associated morbidity and mortality globally, making advances in both vaccines and diagnostics essential to turning the tide.
Collaboration-driven innovations
Collaboration remains central to advancing TB vaccine innovation. The partnership between the European Vaccine Initiative and the TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative exemplifies this coordinated approach.
TBVI actively supports clinical development and fosters innovation across the vaccine pipeline and coordinates the update of the TB Vaccine Development Pathway – a strategic framework guiding research and clinical advancement. Through collaborative research, stakeholder alignment and knowledge exchange, TBVI strengthens the global TB vaccine landscape and accelerates progress toward effective new vaccines and supportive tools.
Making the right vaccine decisions requires the right tools. That's the driving idea behind PrIMAVeRa, an EVI-coordinated consortium developing an open-source platform that brings together mathematical models and epidemiological data to help policymakers prioritise vaccines and monoclonal antibodies to allocate resources where they matter most. Part of the broader AMR Accelerator programme, PrIMAVeRa sits alongside initiatives like COMBINE, which is working to strengthen the scientific foundation for AMR and TB research and build collaboration across the field.
Commitment is essential
Effective vaccines are crucial for reducing the health, social, and economic impacts of TB. However, to eliminate TB globally, we need ongoing investment in research and innovation, coordinated efforts across sectors and stakeholders, political will, and a strong commitment to ensuring equitable access for all.
On World TB Day 2026, the message is clear: with unwavering commitment and combined forces, Yes! We Can End TB.
About TBVI
The TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI) is a non-profit foundation that facilitates the discovery and development of new, safe and effective tuberculosis (TB) vaccines that are accessible and affordable for all people. TBVI brings together partners from around the world by creating an enabling environment for TB vaccine research & innovation and product development, with the ultimate goal to relieve the burden of TB. www.tbvi.eu
About EVI
The European Vaccine Initiative (EVI) is a leading European non-profit Product Development Partnership (PDP) that is supporting global efforts to develop effective and affordable vaccines against diseases of poverty and emerging infectious diseases.
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Funding Acknowledgements / Disclaimers:
DRAIGON is Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
PrIMAVeRa has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No 101034420 (PrIMAVeRa). This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and EFPIA. This communication reflects the author's view, and neither IMI nor the European Union, EFPIA, or any Associated Partners are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.
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This article is republished under the authorization of the European Vaccine Initiative (EVI), and is for educational and exchange purposes only. Original link:https://www.euvaccine.eu/post/yes-we-can-end-tb. All copyrights belong to the original author.
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