During his visit to the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, Gates stated that Indonesia, along with Africa and India, is participating in clinical trials for a TB vaccine.
“Two of the vaccine trial sites are in Indonesia, and this will help us assess the vaccine’s efficacy, which will ultimately benefit the global community,” he said in a statement.
He explained that developing a TB vaccine is a major focus of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as the disease remains widespread in low-income countries while receiving limited global attention and funding.
Gates attributed this lack of attention to the fact that developed nations no longer face a significant TB burden, while millions in developing countries, including Indonesia, remain at high risk of infection and serious complications.
He stressed the importance of supporting vaccine research and ensuring equitable distribution. Gates described the collaboration with Indonesia as part of a broader push to promote fair and inclusive access to healthcare, especially in the hardest-hit countries.
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Beyond vaccine testing, Gates noted that cooperation with Indonesia will also involve various health innovation initiatives, including improved diagnostic and treatment systems.
According to the Ministry of Health, Indonesia currently has the world’s second-highest number of TB cases, after India, with an estimated 1.06 million cases and 134,000 TB-related deaths annually.
Indonesia is currently conducting a phase 3 clinical trial of the M72/AS01E TB vaccine, which is supported in part by the Gates Foundation.
The trial is being held at a site in East Jakarta. By late 2024, the vaccine had already demonstrated 50 percent efficacy in phase 2b trials.
The ongoing phase 3 trial is expected to deliver more robust data on the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness and support Indonesia’s goal of eliminating TB by 2030 while also addressing global needs.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus/Genta Tenri, Resinta S
Editor: Anton Santoso
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