Tuberculosis Vaccines

Tuberculosis remains the number one identifiable infectious disease cause of death globally. The only current vaccine, Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG), was first used in humans >100 years ago. BCG is partially effective in preventing pulmonary TB in the young and very effective in preventing more disseminated forms of the disease. It is generally safe and well-tolerated, and should be offered in areas of high TB prevalence, where vaccination at birth is common. BCG offers poor protection against pulmonary disease in adults, who spread the pathogen: this is the rationale for developing new vaccines against TB.