Tuberculosis, Lung Infections, and Respiratory Care

Vaccine Development for Tuberculosis and Respiratory Infections

Vaccine development for tuberculosis (TB) and respiratory infections has been a major focus of global health research, aiming to reduce the enormous burden of these diseases worldwide. The Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine, introduced over a century ago, remains the only licensed vaccine for TB. While BCG provides strong protection against severe forms of childhood TB, such as meningitis and miliary disease, its effectiveness against pulmonary TB in adults is highly variable. In response, researchers are developing next-generation TB vaccines designed to enhance immune responses, particularly T-cell-mediated immunity, which plays a crucial role in controlling *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*. Several promising candidates—such as M72/AS01E, MTBVAC, and VPM1002—are currently in advanced clinical trials, showing improved safety and immunogenicity profiles compared to BCG. These innovations represent a critical step toward achieving global TB elimination goals.

For other respiratory infections, recent decades have witnessed remarkable advances in vaccine technology, especially with the advent of mRNA, viral vector, and protein subunit platforms. Vaccines against influenza, pneumococcus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2 have demonstrated how rapid scientific innovation can curb widespread respiratory illness. The development of these vaccines not only prevents severe disease and transmission but also reduces the strain on healthcare systems. Continued research focuses on creating broad-spectrum and mucosal vaccines capable of inducing long-lasting immunity at the respiratory tract—the primary site of infection.