World Immunization Week 2025 Wrap-Up: Parliamentarians Champion Vaccine Equity and Innovation

As World Immunization Week 2025 concludes, parliamentarians across the Global TB Caucus reaffirmed their commitment to equitable access to vaccines, with a sharp focus on the urgent need to accelerate efforts around the development and roll-out of a new TB vaccine.

The week unfolded against the backdrop of two pivotal developments in global health: the completion of enrollment in the world’s largest TB vaccine trial ahead of schedule, and a powerful editorial from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, calling attention to TB’s devastating global toll and the historic lack of investment in new tools to fight it. Together, these milestones reinforced what parliamentarians have long advocated—that innovation alone is not enough; political leadership and financing must follow.

Parliamentary Action in Uzbekistan

In Uzbekistan, Hon. Aral Ataniyazova, Head of the National TB Caucus, moderated a high-level Senate roundtable on immunization. While the main focus was on measles, Hon. Aral ensured TB was placed firmly on the agenda—highlighting the need for new vaccines and linking the issue to broader health equity. In a post-event interview, she reiterated Uzbekistan’s responsibility to keep TB vaccine advocacy active within national discourse.

Kazakhstan’s Hearing Sets the Stage for Vaccine Advocacy

On April 1, the Parliament of Kazakhstan hosted a formal hearing on “Measures to Strengthen the National TB Response System.” Led by Hon. Guldara Nurumova, Head of the National TB Caucus and EECA Co-Chair, the session provided a strategic opportunity to reinforce TB as a national health priority. While the hearing focused more broadly on financing and system strengthening, it included recommendations to align health investments—especially in vaccines—with global commitments and reduce reliance on external donors.

MPs also called for increased domestic financing, a move aligned with the Gates Foundation’s call to centre affected countries in driving innovation and access.

Global South Voices: India and Indonesia Lead the Call

Parliamentarians in the Asia-Pacific region marked World Immunization Week by reaffirming their countries’ roles in advancing TB vaccine science:

Hon. Bhubaneshwar Kalita, MP, Rajya Sabha (India):“On the occasion of World Immunization Week, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing the science and access to vaccines—especially for tuberculosis. The countries in the global south must come together to pool resources, share expertise, and ensure that innovations reach those who need them most.”

Hon. Putih Sari, Chair of the Indonesia TB Caucus and Co-Chair of the Asia Pacific TB Caucus:“With one of the highest TB burdens globally, Indonesia must lead not only in implementation but in research and innovation. South-South collaboration is key to making a new TB vaccine a reality for all.”

Why Now?

According to recent reporting, the TB vaccine trial supported by the Gates Foundation and Wellcome Trust has reached full enrollment ahead of schedule—a significant milestone in what could become the first new TB vaccine in over a century. Yet, as the Gates Foundation reminded the world this week, innovation without access risks becoming another broken promise. TB remains underfunded, despite killing more people each year than any other infectious disease.

World Immunization Week 2025 showed that political leaders are not waiting for others to act. Across regions, parliamentarians are using their platforms to keep TB vaccines on the agenda—and to push for the investments and partnerships that will turn scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact.