Jakarta, May 14 -- The tuberculosis (TB) vaccine trial in Indonesia is expected to bring significant public health benefits, according to the head of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM), Taruna Ikrar.

One key advantage, he said on Wednesday, is that Indonesians will be among the first to receive the TB vaccine.

He added that the vaccine is crucial as Indonesia ranks second globally in TB cases, with more than 1 million infections and approximately 125,000 deaths recorded in 2023.

Ikrar emphasized that vaccination is one of the most effective strategies to reduce TB prevalence in the country, where the disease manifests in multiple forms.

"That is why I believe this will be highly beneficial for the public. There are many advan...