Kenya Mediacal Research Institute (KEMRI) research team at its Mtwapa facility has announced that the ongoing clinical trials for the M72/AS01E tuberculosis (TB) vaccine will extend for another five years.
This global effort, involving 60 sites worldwide, including four KEMRI facilities in Kenya, aims to rigorously test the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.
Caroline Ndila, the study trial site manager, explained that the vaccine, if successful, will primarily target individuals aged 15 to 44, though older populations may also benefit.
KEMRI Director General Elijah Songok emphasized the increasing threat of viral infections due to climate change and global mobility.
KEMRI Chair Abdillahi Ali echoed this concern, urging Kenyans to remain vigilant against outbreaks.
Wilson Muraya, the principal investigator for the TB vaccine trials, highlighted the urgent need for a TB vaccine, particularly for the 15-44 age group, which bears the heaviest burden of the disease.
“This age group is particularly vulnerable due to the lack of an effective TB vaccine,” Muraya stated.
Kenya’s coastal counties, including Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kilifi, continue to grapple with high rates of TB and HIV/AIDS.
TB, often an opportunistic infection, thrives in areas with high HIV prevalence, as the weakened immune system renders individuals more susceptible to the disease.