{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1961979,
        "msgid": "indonesia-actively-develops-vaccines-to-accelerate-tb-elimination-1788616250",
        "date": "2026-09-05 19:43:39",
        "title": "Indonesia actively develops vaccines to accelerate TB elimination",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "The Indonesian Ministry of Health is actively participating in the development of tuberculosis vaccines to address the nation's high caseload. President Prabowo Subianto has prioritised TB elimination as a key health initiative, with state-owned Bio Farma and other firms currently engaged in various stages of clinical trials.",
        "content": "<p>\u201cA TB vaccine is yet to be found anywhere in the world. Formulation\nis underway and Indonesia has been actively involved in developing TB\nvaccines,\u201d Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Lucia\nat the Ministry of Health, Rizka Andalucia, said.<\/p>\n<p>During the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Indonesian Association for the\nStudy of Medicinals in Jakarta on Saturday, she emphasised that\ndeveloping vaccines remains essential to eradicating TB, although\nmedicines and diagnostic tools are already available.<\/p>\n<p>Lucia stressed vaccine development is particularly crucial for\nIndonesia, given the country\u2019s second-highest TB caseload globally after\nIndia, up from third place.<\/p>\n<p>Bearing that in mind, she said President Prabowo Subianto had\ndeclared TB elimination as one of his quick-win initiatives in the\nhealth sector, alongside the Free Health Screening programme and\nhospital upgrades.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Banten sets health check, TB detection example after\nsurpassing target<\/p>\n<p>She expressed optimism about Indonesia\u2019s role in the global TB\nagenda, highlighting the country\u2019s experience in conducting clinical\ntrials for COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>Lucia also explained involvement in clinical trials as one way for a\ncountry to secure vaccines once they are ready for mass production and\ndistribution.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf we did not carry out vaccine clinical trials back during the\npandemic, we would not have immediate access to vaccines,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Regarding the fight against TB, she noted Indonesia has the potential\nto optimise three vaccine candidates, including M72, which is being\ndeveloped with GSK and the Gates Foundation. The vaccine candidate has\nentered Phase 3 clinical trials.<\/p>\n<p>Lucia added state-run pharmaceutical firm Bio Farma is currently\ndeveloping a vaccine candidate in collaboration with Lipotek, while\nanother candidate is being developed by Etana and CanSino. Both\ncandidates are in Phase 1 clinical trials.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHopefully, all the vaccine candidates meet ethical and safety\nrequirements,\u201d she concluded.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Gov\u2019t steps up free health checks to detect\ntuberculosis cases<\/p>\n<p>Related news: Health Ministry expands free TB screening to Islamic\nboarding schools<\/p>\n<p>Translator: A. Firmansyah, Tegar Nurfitra<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-actively-develops-vaccines-to-accelerate-tb-elimination-1788616250",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}