Oxford University Announces Trials for New TB Vaccine

According to Oxford University, clinical trials are underway for the first new tuberculosis (TB) vaccine in more than 80 years.

If successful, the tests could lead to the development of a new vaccine ready to use within eight years, Oxford said.

TB has resurged in many parts of the world, including a 10 percent rise in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Additionally, there has been an emergence of multidrug resistant strains, the university said.

According to the university, the only TB vaccine is BCG, which is administered to infants. However, the vaccination is only thought to be protective in preventing severe forms of the disease and is not effective in adults.

The vaccine in development, known as MVA85A, works in tandem to the BCG, acting as a booster, the university said.

Following successful safety trials in Gambia, the drug has now entered Phase II trials in the Western Cape in South Africa, the university added.