The newly released WHO report, ‘Catalyzing solutions for equitable global access and sustainable financing for novel tuberculosis vaccines for adults and adolescents’, underscores the urgent need to transform the global response to tuberculosis through coordinated action on vaccine development, access and financing. With TB still causing more than one million deaths annually and no new licensed vaccine in over a century, the report provides a comprehensive analysis of the readiness of countries, markets and health systems to introduce forthcoming vaccines. It highlights persistent gaps—especially in early evidence generation, supply planning and global alignment—that must be addressed to ensure timely and equitable rollout.
Centrally, Chapter 2.5 offers an in-depth examination of the financing landscape, revealing the scale of resources required and the difficult trade-offs countries face in constrained fiscal environments. By analysing procurement needs, delivery costs and funding gaps, the chapter emphasises that sustainable financing is not ancillary but foundational to successful introduction. Its findings frame the report’s proposed solutions and call for collective, long-term commitment from governments, donors and partners.
