From Silos to Synergy: First TB–EPI Communities Partnership to Support New TB Vaccines Introduction

Washington, D.C. - Stop TB Partnership and Sabin Vaccine Institute have entered into a groundbreaking new partnership bringing together TB and Essential Programme on Immunization (EPI) communities within countries to support readiness when the new tuberculosis (TB) vaccines are introduced.

Tuberculosis remains the world's deadliest infectious disease, causing an estimated 1.25 to 1.5 million deaths each year. Infants and children are at particularly high risk, as are people with weakened immune systems. The burden is very high as an estimated 2 billion people are infected with TB and would benefit from a vaccine protecting from the progression of infection to disease. The WHO's End TB Strategy aims for a 90% reduction in cases by 2030, but current tools are insufficient to meet this goal.

The partnership comes at a crucial time, as countries look ahead to new vaccine candidates that could better protect adolescents and adults, who account for the majority of TB transmission, and offer stronger protection against drug-resistant TB. There are multiple TB vaccines currently in development, including six listed by the WHO and the New Vaccines Working Group of Stop TB partnership as in Phase III trials. This signals a significant need for early preparation and collaboration among policy makers, community leaders, public health workers, and other key stakeholders as countries look ahead toward potential changes.

The two organizations are uniquely prepared to reach relevant stakeholders with the information they need, and together, their complementarity will foster connection and peer-to-peer learning across communities affected by TB.

The Stop TB Partnership brings together more than 2,000 partners from TB communities, international and technical organizations, government programs, research and funding agencies, NGOs, society and community groups, and private sector companies. In addition, Stop TB works with a large network of TB survivors, civil society organizations and communities engaged through Challenge facility for Civil Society and One Impact national platforms. The organization plays a critical role in shaping global policy, mobilizing resources, strengthening country-level implementation, and amplifying the voices of those most affected by TB.

Sabin's Boost Community connects over 5,700 immunization professionals at all levels from nearly 160 countries. Their roles span academia, ministries of health, nonprofits, and industry. These members are situated perfectly to connect local knowledge and solutions with action and follow-through, making them invaluable partners in preparing health systems for vaccine introductions. Together, the organizations plan to connect the immunization and TB communities, to facilitate the generation of actionable evidence, and to build the relationships and shared knowledge needed for an effective preparation and roll-out by countries.

"This is how we turn promise into protection," says Sabin President of Global Immunization, Dr. Rebecca Martin. "This one-of-a-kind partnership reflects a simple and powerful idea: we must prepare together to deliver together. By connecting the TB and immunization communities and working with countries and civil society, now, we are building the foundation to ensure new TB vaccines reach those who need them most from day one."

"We want to be very practical and concrete, so we decided to bring together people affected by TB, civil society and communities, faith-based organizations with the immunization professionals in a first of a kind partnership," says Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership. "People discuss and debate if one or another community should lead but we want to ensure real partnerships are built and synergies are created based on experience and professionalism of our respective communities."

This partnership of Stop TB's TB community partners and Sabin's Boost Community will start with a survey to their combined networks to understand on-the-ground readiness related to delivering a new TB vaccine. This information will be then used to co-host a live, virtual interactive event for the communities. The partnership aims to provide ongoing support for professionals in high-burden countries and lay the groundwork for more in-depth and action-oriented programming in the future.

About Stop TB

The Stop TB Partnership is a United Nations-hosted initiative that brings together governments, civil society, people affected by tuberculosis, technical partners, and the private sector to accelerate action to end TB. Established in 2001, the Partnership works at the forefront of the global TB response by driving innovation, shaping markets, and ensuring rapid introduction and scale-up of new tools, including diagnostics, treatments, and digital solutions. It also plays a critical role in fostering high-level political engagement, mobilizing resources, and holding stakeholders accountable to global TB commitments. The Stop TB Partnership empowers people affected by TB and communities to lead, advocate, and shape responses that are people-centered and inclusive. The Stop TB Partnership is committed to achieving a world free of tuberculosis by accelerating access to lifesaving innovations and ensuring that no one is left behind.

About the Sabin Vaccine Institute

The Sabin Vaccine Institute is a leading advocate for expanding vaccine access and uptake globally, advancing vaccine research and development, and amplifying vaccine knowledge and innovation. Unlocking the potential of vaccines through partnership, Sabin has built a robust ecosystem of funders, innovators, implementers, practitioners, policy makers, and public stakeholders to advance its vision of a future free from preventable diseases. As a non-profit with three decades of experience, Sabin is committed to finding solutions that last and extending the full benefits of vaccines to all people, regardless of who they are or where they live. At Sabin, we believe in the power of vaccines to change the world. For more information, visit www.sabin.org and follow us on LinkedIn.