CHENNAI: A global trial of the experimental GlaxoSmithKline tuberculosis (TB) vaccine is going to begin soon. Scientific heads in India should try to be a part of the global multi-centric trial, said World Health Organization chief scientist, Dr Soumya Swaminathan.

Discussion on phase 3 of the trial will be held with global scientific leaders on April 5 at the WHO headquarters in Geneva. Dr Swaminathan said that India should strive to be a part of this global trial. She added that India contributes to 27% of the global TB burden.

Children across the country receive Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine as part of the universal immunization schedule. However, the protection extended by the vaccine wears away in a few years. This makes most adults susceptible to the infection.

She cited the Lancet Commission on Tuberculosis report and said that there is political will and resources for diagnosis and treatment of TB in the country. While policies are in place, implementation is poor in some places. Better implementation of policies and intelligent use of resources can go a long way in improving outcomes. She said that Kerala is looking towards elimination of the disease while several states are still struggling to make timely diagnosis.

In some districts, the average time to diagnosis is three months from the symptom onset. By the time the diagnosis is made in a patient, at least ten others are infected, she mentioned. She added that there is a need to develop customized solutions in India, such as using a more efficient diagnostic kit for early diagnosis, better monitoring of DOTS therapy, and providing adequate nutrition to improve clinical outcomes. (TNN)