Why is the BCG vaccine still the primary TB vaccine after a century, and have there been any recent tuberculosis vaccine developments?
Context Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge, particularly in developing countries. The Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine, developed over a century ago, is still the most widely used TB vaccine. Despite its widespread use, the BCG vaccine has limitations in protecting against pulmonary TB, the most common and infectious form of the disease, especially in adults. This has prompted ongoing research and development efforts to create more effective TB vaccines. Simple Answer BCG is old and not perfect, mostly good for kids but not adults. TB is complicated, making vaccine creation tough. Funding and research take a lot of time and money. It's hard to test new TB vaccines to prove they work better. Scientists are working on new vaccines, but it takes time. Detailed Answer The BCG vaccine, introduced in 1921, has been the cornerstone of TB prevention for over a century. It is derived from attenuated (weakened) Mycobacterium bovis, a bacterium closely related to Mycoba...