On a crisp spring morning in Beijing, Dr. Li Liang did something quietly revolutionary: he rolled up his sleeve and became the first human to receive a dose of a brand-new mRNA tuberculosis (TB) vaccine. As the world marked World TB Day on March 24, this act signaled more than just scientific ambition. It was a bold declaration: the fight against Tuberculosis is entering a new era.
A Century-Old Vaccine, A Persistent Killer Tuberculosis is no stranger to the global stage. Despite being preventable and treatable, it remains one of the top infectious disease killers worldwide, claiming over a million lives annually. For over 100 years, the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine has been the world’s only immunization tool against Tuberculosis—but its protection is uneven and often fades over time.
Dr. Li Liang, vice president of Beijing Chest Hospital and one of China’s foremost TB experts, calls the status quo untenable. In an interview with CGTN, he underscored three main bottlenecks hampering global Tuberculosis eradication: diagnostic delays, limited treatment options, and the glaring absence of effective vaccines.
Severe resource shortages are threatening the global response to end #tuberculosis (TB). Is the world on the brink of a global TB crisis? A quarter of the world’s population could be infected with TB and not even know it. Listen in to Dr Tereza Kasaeva on Science in 5. #EndTB pic.twitter.com/iyP1RDIHFP
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 23, 2025
The Promise of mRNA Technology Enter China’s homegrown solution: a new mRNA Tuberculosis vaccine developed by Li’s hospital in collaboration with biotech firms. Animal trials have already yielded jaw-dropping results, outperforming the BCG and even the much-hyped M72 vaccine by a factor of 20. Now, with human trials underway, the scientific community is watching closely.
This vaccine isn’t just another shot in the dark. It represents a paradigm shift, leveraging the same mRNA technology that helped curb COVID-19. If successful, it could fast-track the timeline for global TB eradication and dramatically improve outcomes for millions.
Hope Meets Ground Reality While scientific breakthroughs make headlines, the real battle against TB is waged on the ground. China, to its credit, has built a robust, multi-tiered health system that integrates national, county, and community-level interventions. Government commitment, specialized medical teams, and grassroots innovation have helped China move the needle.
But even as China pushes forward, other countries face formidable challenges. The World Health Organization (WHO), in its 2024 India report, notes how climate change, pandemics, and widening inequalities are disrupting universal healthcare efforts.
India, for instance, is making measurable progress. According to the WHO, the country reported an 80% decline in malaria cases and a similar drop in malaria-related deaths between 2015 and 2023. It’s also advancing in leprosy elimination, maternal and child healthcare, and hospital waste management. But TB? It remains a thorny problem.
A Dual Narrative: Progress and Peril On the one hand, India has adopted WHO’s shorter Tuberculosis preventive treatment regimen for people living with HIV, training nearly 1,500 healthcare professionals across 500 centers. Surveillance has improved. Early detection is on the rise. These are no small feats.
Yet, systemic bottlenecks persist. Like in China, diagnostic delays and limited access to newer drugs remain pressing issues. WHO’s field teams have been instrumental in supporting India’s National Strategic Plan, but the ground reality is still marred by gaps in last-mile delivery and public awareness.
Technology Beyond Tuberculosis While Tuberculosis vaccines dominate headlines, a parallel revolution is quietly gaining ground: neural interfaces. Chronic neurological conditions like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and paralysis affect over a billion people globally. And unlike TB, where prevention is possible, these conditions often offer no hope of reversal.
Companies like Synchron are exploring neural interfaces that could one day help patients control prosthetics using thought alone. This leap from symptom management to functional restoration mirrors the ambition driving Tuberculosis vaccine development.
Both domains highlight a critical truth: breakthrough technology is not just about innovation—it’s about equity, access, and the will to translate science into solutions.
Where Do We Go From Here? Dr. Li’s act of becoming the first trial participant is more than symbolic. It reflects a willingness to lead by example, to take risks where the stakes are highest. As WHO aims to end TB by 2035, the global community faces a stark choice: continue with incremental progress or accelerate bold, science-backed interventions.
India and China—two of the world’s most populous nations—are at the heart of this fight. Their efforts will not only determine their own public health futures but also shape global outcomes. The development of effective TB vaccines, deployment of grassroots technologies, and investments in resilient health systems are not mutually exclusive; they are mutually reinforcing.
The Verdict As of now, there is no silver bullet. But the convergence of cutting-edge science, international cooperation, and boots-on-the-ground execution is closer than ever before. From neural interfaces to mRNA vaccines, the battle for health equity is entering a decisive phase.
FAQ
Why is TB still a major health issue despite being treatable?
Delayed diagnosis, poor access to advanced treatments, and limited vaccine efficacy have kept TB a persistent global threat.
What is the significance of the new mRNA TB vaccine from China?
It has shown 20x better efficacy than existing vaccines in animal trials and represents a potential game-changer in global TB control.
Who is Dr. Li Liang and why is he in the news?
Dr. Li is a top Chinese TB expert who became the first human trial subject for the new mRNA TB vaccine, underlining his commitment to innovation.
