ABSTRACT
Elimination of tuberculosis (TB) will require a safe, affordable vaccine that prevents infection as well as progression to active disease in all settings and all ages, for life. While the search for the perfect vaccine proceeds, there are lessons to be learned from the history of the bacille Calmette Gue´rin (BCG) vaccine and the emerging understanding of its genetic evolution. Until a new vaccine is found and proven effective, the first priority is to assure that the more than 8,000,000 TB cases occurring annually have access to curative treatment under DOTS.
