March 05, 2025

New TB vaccine candidate trial launched in Africa

March 04, 2025

The first doses of the tuberculosis vaccine candidate MTBVAC have been administered in South Africa, marking a key step in testing its safety and efficacy. The Phase 2b trial will enrol approximately 4,300 participants with latent TB infection across 15 sites in South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania.

  • Tuberculosis (TB) is a major infectious disease in Africa and climate change is exacerbating the epidemic. It increases risks such as food insecurity and displacement, which heighten vulnerability to TB, according to the World Health Organization.

  • The century-old BCG vaccine offers limited efficacy, protecting only specific age groups. While it effectively shields infants from severe forms of tuberculosis, it becomes less effective against pulmonary TB, which is the most common type in older children and adults.

  • Our Take: Despite the worsening situation due to climate-driven displacement and malnutrition, tuberculosis is often overlooked in climate-health discussions in Africa. This creates a dangerous gap in addressing this escalating global health crisis… Read more (2 min)

A group of global corporate leaders have unveiled a new playbook designed to accelerate food fortification efforts across Africa. It aims to address micronutrient deficiencies, commonly referred to as hidden hunger. It is worsened by climate change, which limits access to nutrient-rich foods, making fortification essential for global nutrition security.

  • The playbook provides businesses in Africa with strategies to combat hidden hunger, enhance nutrition security, and promote healthier, more sustainable food systems.

  • Hidden hunger affects billions of people in Africa and food fortification is a proven, cost-effective solution to improve food and nutrition security on a large scale. Yet, despite its potential, businesses in Africa encounter complex challenges that hinder the acceleration of fortification efforts.

  • Our take: Private sector investment in fortification is vital for addressing hidden hunger, but businesses must prioritise compliance and ensure product affordability… Read more (2 min)

In February, five African companies secured funding to tackle climate-related health challenges. Three of these companies specialise in agriculture and food security, while the remaining two provide telemedicine services. Medikea in Tanzania and Motherbeing in Egypt are among the innovators receiving financial backing in to expand their digital health services.

  • In food security, Agriarche and Wami Adro have received loans of $0.5 million and $2 million, respectively. These two agritech companies support smallholder farmers in Nigeria and Ghana by providing market access, climate protection, and credit services.

  • The fifth company, Qualipharm, produces high-quality baby food under the Calimi brand, made from natural African ingredients that meet global standards. The product is distributed through pharmacies and an online subscription service.

  • African companies are leading the charge in addressing the intersection of climate change and health, demonstrating the continent's capacity to innovate in these crucial areas…Read more (2 min)

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A health worker in the slums of Kinshasa, DRC inspects a solar powered vaccine refrigerator donated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Events

Register for the upcoming global conference on air pollution and health in Colombia (March 26)

South Africa and the United Kingdom to co-host the eighth investment drive for the Global Fund to fight Aids, tuberculosis and malaria.

Jobs

Apply to be an International Consultant on Evidence Generation on Status of WASH-Nutrition Synergy for UNICEF ( Remote).

Various 

Discover the African countries preserving crop diversity by safeguarding indigenous seeds.

WHO unveils updated global database of air quality standards

Morocco partners with Brazil to increase olive oil supply shortages caused by drought.

Seen on LinkedIn 

Fahrad Ali, Deputy Regional Director at Vital Strategies, says, “After 50 years of global aid, the impact of health and education investments is evident, yet climate crises, equity gaps, and growing demands for local-led solutions reveal significant challenges to their effectiveness.”

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