TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A total of 2,095 Indonesians are involved in the clinical trial of the M72 TB vaccine developed by Bill Gates through the Gates Foundation. This number is cumulative participation since the first study phase in 2024. Before the vaccine is widely distributed, the clinical trial has reached the third or final stage.
The purpose is to assess the effectiveness and safety of the M72 vaccine in preventing pulmonary TB in adults with latent TB infection without HIV. According to the Ministry of Health, this vaccine has been developed since the early 2000s and has shown a good safety profile in previous studies. The completion of the clinical trial is targeted to be finished by 2028.
The trial has been conducted in Indonesia since September 3, 2024, in several major hospitals, such as RSUP Persahabatan, RS Islam Cempaka Putih, RSUI, FKUI, and FK Unpad. The participant recruitment process was completed on April 16, 2025.
In addition to Indonesia, the vaccine trial is being conducted in four other countries with a high burden of TB, including South Africa (13,071 participants), Kenya (3,579 participants), Zambia (889 participants), and Malawi (447 participants). With a total of 20,081 participants, M72 is said to be the most advanced TB vaccine candidate among the 15 vaccines currently being developed worldwide.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that TB is the most deadly infectious disease in the world, even surpassing COVID-19. By participating, Budi said Indonesia gains the advantage of understanding the vaccine's compatibility with local genetics, gaining access to technology, and opening up opportunities for rapid production through Bio Farma.
"Because every year, about one million people in Indonesia get TB. This is why we need to produce the vaccine at least ten times more to ensure that our people do not get infected," he said at the Presidential Palace Complex, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Besides the TB vaccine, Bill Gates is also developing a malaria vaccine. According to Gates, the high TB death rate in Indonesia is a serious concern. He hopes this trial can accelerate the global solution to eradicate the disease.
Hendrik Yaputra and Ester Veny Novelia Situmorang contributed to the writing of this article
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