In a landmark step toward combating tuberculosis (TB), Chinese medical researcher Dr. Li Liang became the first volunteer to receive an experimental mRNA vaccine developed by his team at Beijing Chest Hospital. The vaccine, created in collaboration with Chinese biotech firms, demonstrated a 20-fold increase in efficacy over traditional TB vaccines during animal trials, raising hopes for a breakthrough in global TB control efforts.
Dr. Li, a leading TB expert and vice president of the hospital, highlighted the limitations of the century-old Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine during a World TB Day interview. “While BCG remains foundational, its long-term protective effects diminish,” he noted, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative solutions. The new candidate vaccine aims to address not only efficacy gaps but also global vaccine shortages that hinder TB prevention.
China’s progress in TB management, Dr. Li stressed, relies on a multi-tiered healthcare framework combining government initiatives, specialized medical networks, and community-level programs. This infrastructure supports rapid diagnosis, treatment accessibility, and cross-regional cooperation—key factors in reducing transmission rates nationwide.
With the World Health Organization targeting TB elimination by 2035, Dr. Li urged accelerated deployment of advanced technologies at grassroots facilities. “Early detection is critical,” he stated, underscoring the vaccine’s potential role in complementing existing strategies. If successful, the trials could position China as a pivotal contributor to global health security.
Researchers will closely monitor the vaccine’s safety and immune response in the coming months, with further updates expected by late 2024.
