A booster may help tuberculosis resistance in already vaccinated adults, researchers in South Africa have said.

Animal testing of the booster, called Aeras-402 vaccine, developed by Aeras Global Tuberculosis Foundation and Crucell, has been encouraging, says Willem Hanekom, co-director of the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative, reports. The vaccine has proved safe in healthy adults previously vaccinated with the current TB vaccine.

Hanekom says in a statement, "Aeras-402 was able to stimulate the immune system in a manner thought to be important for protection against tuberculosis. The world urgently needs new, better vaccines against tuberculosis."

It is important to test the vaccines in settings where the disease is very common, such as South Africa, Hanekom further adds.

The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine published the study online. (With Inputs from Agencies)