New tuberculosis vaccines expected to become available from 2029 could prevent more than seven million deaths by 2050, according to the global vaccine alliance, Gavi.

Gavi’s Chief Executive Officer, Sania Nishtar, said the vaccines under development could become a major tool in the fight against tuberculosis, which remains the world’s leading infectious disease killer.

She, however, stressed that their potential would depend on ensuring sufficient, predictable and affordable supplies for countries with the highest burden of the disease.

Tuberculosis killed an estimated 1.23 million people in 2024, according to the latest available World Health Organisation figures.

The Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine, commonly known as BCG, is currently the only licensed vaccine against TB and has been in use for more than a century.

Gavi said BCG provides effective protection against severe forms of TB in infants and young children, but its protection decreases over time.

The alliance said several new vaccines are being developed to prevent TB among adolescents and adults, potentially addressing an important gap in protection.

A new Gavi analysis estimated that the vaccines could avert up to 7.3 million deaths between 2030 and 2050 if successfully developed and widely deployed.

The vaccines could also generate up to $135 billion in economic benefits across low- and middle-income countries by 2050.

However, Gavi identified inadequate global and domestic financing as potential obstacles to widespread adoption. Uncertainty over demand could also discourage manufacturers from investing in production capacity, creating supply challenges.

The alliance said it was working with partners to prepare for timely access once the vaccines receive regulatory approval, while promoting routine immunisation and a competitive pipeline of new TB vaccines.