Engagement
Community engagement
Meaningful community engagement is central to MTBVAC AVANTE. We believe that people and communities affected by TB should be active partners throughout the research process – not only as participants.
Our community partnership approach
Community engagement is integrated throughout MTBVAC AVANTE’s work packages, from clinical development and communications to policy engagement and access planning. We work with communities through multiple engagement structures, such as Community Advisory Boards (CABs), civil society organisations, clinical research centres (CRCs), and public health partners, to co-develop MTBVAC AVANTE’s community engagement activities. Our work is shaped through our close collaboration with CABs linked to participating CRCs who regularly share insights on local participant experiences, study communications, recruitment and retention approaches, and dissemination activities.
Guided by Good Participatory Practice, our approach promotes active two-way dialogue, transparency, and shared learning. Through this, we aim to ensure that research is relevant, responsive, and accountable to those it is intended to benefit. This approach also strengthens the understanding of TB, vaccines, and clinical research among the communities by supporting access to appropriate information. Community perspectives are also informing ongoing discussions on vaccine acceptability, access, and implementation.
By combining meaningful community partnerships with the highest ethical research standards, we aim to advance TB vaccine research in ways that are both scientifically robust and socially responsible.
Advocacy & stakeholder engagement
MTBVAC AVANTE leverages the extensive expertise of its partners in TB vaccine and global health advocacy and stakeholder engagement. Together, the partners are supporting MTBVAC’s development and access planning through advocacy at the local through global levels, while coordinating strategic engagement with public health officials and policy makers in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, and globally.
We are closely engaged with leading civil society, scientific, and policy networks and forums across the field, including the Stop TB Partnership Working Group on New TB Vaccines, the TB Vaccine Advocacy Roadmap (TB Vax ARM), and the WHO TB Vaccine Accelerator Council. MTBVAC AVANTE partners regularly participate in important scientific, policy, advocacy and financing convenings to ensure the broader scientific and global health community is informed and consulted about MTBVAC development. This integrated engagement approach means that MTBVAC AVANTE is well placed to contribute to key discussions and access planning efforts to maximize the potential impact of MTBVAC, should it be found safe and effective.
Ethics & participant protection
MTBVAC AVANTE is committed to ethical, people-centred research. Guided by Good Clinical Practice (GCP) alongside internationally recognised ethical principles, national regulations, and independent oversight, we aim to ensure that participants are informed, respected, and supported, while safeguarding their rights, safety, dignity, and wellbeing throughout their research journey.