Examining Southeast Asia's efforts to eradicate TB through the M72 vaccine and technology

The fight against tuberculosis (TB) in Southeast Asia is a long and arduous one, as the region accounts for about 45% of global TB cases. Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have also been consistently and proactively involved in various TB control efforts. This includes an ambitious regional action plan to end the deadly tuberculosis epidemic. The plan focuses on improving drugs, handling critical problems of latent TB cases (infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis , but not showing symptoms), developing diagnostic technology, and innovating infection prevention through the TB vaccine candidate M72/AS01E. This article will explain the role of ASEAN countries (including Indonesia) in eradicating tuberculosis in Southeast Asia through the development of the M72 TB vaccine and technology.