Supporting South Africa to lead the introduction of new TB vaccines
Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in
South Africa and across the African continent. With promising new TB vaccines on
the horizon, the question is no longer whether effective vaccines will exist, it is
whether South Africa will be ready to introduce them without delay.
Genesis is proud to be part of the TIMBER Study, a collaborative initiative led by the
University of Cape Town and implemented across South Africa, Kenya and The
Gambia with the assistance of the respective country National Immunization
Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) leaders, working to make sure Africa is not left
behind.
Under the leadership of the University of Cape Town’s Vaccines for Africa Initiative
(VACFA), and in partnership with the NITAG Support Hub (NISH), funded by the
Wellcome Trust (Grant Award 321028/Z/24/Z), we drive the implementation of the
South Africa country arm of this three-country study.
Our work supports South Africa’s National Advisory Group on Immunisation (NAGI) and the TB Vaccine Implementation Working Group to generate and apply model-based evidence in TB vaccine policy recommendations. Parallel implementation in Kenya and The Gambia
is driven by in-country partner organisations.
What we do
This project supports South Africa’s preparedness for the introduction of novel TB
vaccines by strengthening the link between modelling evidence and policy decision-
making. Working in close partnership with the National Advisory Group on
Immunisation (NAGI), and the National Department of Health TB and Immunization
Programmes, the project aims to:
- Coordinate stakeholders for TB vaccine preparedness: Convene and
align key actors across immunisation, TB, and research communities through
targeted engagement, sensitisation activities, and technical workshops to
build shared understanding and demand for model-based evidence. - Identify evidence needs and gaps: Systematically map South Africa-specific
data requirements for TB vaccine policy, producing an Evidence Gap Map
(EGM) to highlight priority areas for research, modelling, and investment. - Synthesize and package policy-relevant evidence: Review and curate
existing TB vaccine modelling and economic evidence, ensuring it is
translated into formats that are accessible, relevant, and usable within South
Africa’s decision-making processes. - Compile a comprehensive evidence dossier: Bring together
epidemiological, modelling, economic, and health systems evidence into a
structured dossier to inform deliberations on TB vaccine introduction. - Develop a model-based NAGI recommendation: Support the co-creation of
a draft NAGI recommendation for a novel TB vaccine, applying the Evidence-
to-Recommendation (EtR) framework to ensure transparent, context-
specific, and policy-relevant decision-making. - Strengthen health system readiness for implementation: Assess how new
TB vaccines can be integrated into existing TB prevention and primary
healthcare platforms, including analysis of delivery strategies, system
capacity, and cost-effectiveness.
Our approach
Our work is grounded in a deep respect for South African ownership and context. We
engage directly with NAGI and key national stakeholders, including the Department
of Health Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), national TB programme,
and relevant research institutions, through qualitative research methods such as key
informant interviews, critical systems heuristics, and Causal Loop Diagrams,
alongside rigorous evidence synthesis and economic modelling. The result is South
Africa-specific insight, not generic recommendations.
Why it matters
South Africa carries one of the highest TB burdens globally, and across Africa, the
pathway from vaccine licensure to country-level adoption and implementation is
often slow and complex.
The TIMBER Study aims to shorten this pathway by strengthening preparedness in advance, ensuring that when effective TB vaccines become available, NAGI has the evidence, tools, and processes in place to make timely, well-informed recommendations. By building this readiness now, the project supports faster, more confident decision-making and positions South Africa to lead in evidence-based TB vaccine policy.