As per the latest data from World Health Organization, in the year 2019, a total of 10 million people fell ill with tuberculosis, of which 1.2 million were children, while 1.4 million people died due to tuberculosis. There are 30 high burden countries that are responsible for 87% of new TB cases. Eight countries account for two-thirds of the total, with India leading, followed by Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and four more countries. An important cog in the wheel of tuberculosis progression is the risk of TB infection progressing to TB disease. To break this wheel, active intervention is essential. A vaccine given to all children can help to confer protection, especially against severe disease forms. Currently, the role of the available BCG vaccine is limited to protection against disseminated TB and miliary TB. Currently, there are at least 15 candidate vaccines at different stages of clinical trials, while one vaccine has entered phase III. These newer vaccines have the potential of combating the disease as we forge ahead to end TB.
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