IAVI and Partners Announce the 7th Global Forum on TB Vaccines in 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

IAVI, the Stop TB Partnership Working Group on New TB Vaccines (WGNV), the Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (TBVI), the Ministry of Health of Brazil, and the Brazilian Tuberculosis Research Network (REDE-TB) are pleased to announce that the 7th Global Forum on Tuberculosis Vaccines will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 8-10, 2024. This is the first time the Global Forum on TB Vaccines will be hosted in the Americas, and it comes at a time of renewed attention to TB vaccine research and development.

“Tuberculosis continues to be a major public health issue globally, having faced a major setback during the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant efforts are necessary to eradicate TB as a public health problem by 2030, and in this regard, the development of novel and improved vaccines is essential. The 7th Global Forum on TB Vaccines is an opportunity to strengthen the TB research network and to work in collaboration with civil society and various stakeholders, advocating for vaccines that are effective, affordable, and accessible to all countries,” said Fernanda Dockhorn Costa Johansen, General Coordinator, National TB Program, Brazil.

The Global Forum on TB Vaccines is convened every two to three years by the WGNV in collaboration with IAVI, TBVI, and a partner in the host country. The 7th Global Forum is expected to bring more than 400 stakeholders from over 35 countries and all sectors of tuberculosis vaccine research and development to Rio de Janeiro. The Global Forum is the world’s largest gathering of TB vaccine stakeholders and allows researchers, clinicians, product developers, policymakers, civil society, and affected community groups to take stock of advances in the field, exchange perspectives on the latest research and best practices, and define priority actions aimed at accelerating the development of new vaccines against this disease. Previous Global Forums were in Geneva (2001), Tallinn (2010), Cape Town (2013), Shanghai (2015), New Delhi (2018), a virtual edition (2021), and Toulouse (hosted virtually, 2022).

“The co-organizers at IAVI, WGNV and TBVI are delighted that the next Global Forum will be taking place in Brazil. The region has been at the forefront of TB science for many years, and we recognize the important role Brazil can play in garnering support from the global community for the development and roll-out of new TB vaccines. We are looking forward to working with the Ministry of Health of Brazil and REDE-TB in bringing together a successful 7th TB Vaccine Forum,” shared David Lewinsohn, Chair, WGNV; Mark Feinberg, President & CEO, IAVI; and Gerald Voss, Interim Executive Director, TBVI.

Brazil has demonstrated its commitment to ending the TB pandemic through multisectoral domestic initiatives and by taking leadership roles in global endeavors, including serving as co-chair for the recently formed WHO TB Vaccine Accelerator Council. As a leader in global health research and biomedical manufacturing, and also a country with a high TB burden, Brazil plays a pivotal role in the global TB response and is a valuable contributor to innovation, research and knowledge. Brazil is home to world-renowned biological science research and development institutes, manufacturing facilities, and research universities, and collaborative efforts between Brazilian scientists and global researchers are helping to advance the research and development of new TB vaccines. Moreover, Brazil has a thriving civil society that strives to integrate community involvement in research.

TB remains one of the world’s leading infectious disease killers. We urgently need new TB vaccines to eliminate TB and reach the 2030 end TB goals. With multiple candidates in late-stage development, new TB vaccines could be available this decade. The support of high TB burden countries, like Brazil, will be critical to ensuring new TB vaccines reach those who need them most.

“Brazil has a prominent and leading role in the important task of catalyzing the development and use of new vaccines against TB. The country is a reference worldwide due to its strong National Immunization Program, its research and biotechnology infrastructure, and the knowledge and skills of its research community, which is why it is exciting and valuable for the country to host the 7th Global Forum on TB Vaccines,” said Dr. Ricardo Alexandre Arcêncio, President of the Brazilian Tuberculosis Research Network (REDE-TB).

The 7th Global Forum Organizers looks forward to announcing in the New Year the theme and information on how to take part.

Visit www.tbvaccinesforum.org/rio-de-janeiro for information about the 7^th Global Forum on TB Vaccines and to sign up for announcements and updates about the Global Forum on TB Vaccines.

Follow the Global Forum on X to stay informed on updates and developments.