Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites no longer respond effectively to antimicrobial medications<\/a>, leading to tougher-to-treat infections, increased illness, and heightened death rates.<\/p>\nMisuse and overuse of antibiotics drive AMR, yet millions worldwide lack access to essential antimicrobial medications. According to WHO data, approximately five million deaths annually are linked to AMR, underscoring the need for a robust global response.<\/p>\n
Vaccines, which prevent infection and reduce the need for antibiotics, have emerged as a central strategy to combat AMR.<\/p>\n
By stopping infections before they start, vaccines not only reduce antibiotic use but also slow the spread of drug-resistant pathogens, helping to address a significant global health crisis.<\/p>\n
Current vaccines are already making an impact<\/h3>\n The report expands on a previous WHO study, estimating that vaccines against pathogens such as pneumococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenzae<\/em> type B (Hib), and typhoid could prevent up to 106,000 AMR-related deaths annually.<\/p>\nThese vaccines are already available and effective, though their use remains below optimal levels in many regions. Pneumococcus and Hib vaccines, for example, prevent respiratory infections, meningitis, and other serious illnesses that can lead to antibiotic treatment.<\/p>\n
Expanding these vaccinations globally could significantly reduce the need for antibiotic use, providing a powerful and cost-effective tool in the battle against AMR.<\/p>\n
The promise of new vaccines for tuberculosis and Klebsiella pneumoniae<\/em><\/h3>\nThe WHO report also emphasises the urgent need for new vaccines targeting pathogens like tuberculosis (TB) and Klebsiella pneumoniae<\/em>, which are major contributors to AMR.<\/p>\nIf new vaccines were developed and deployed against these pathogens, an additional 543,000 AMR-related deaths could be averted each year.<\/p>\n
While clinical trials are underway for TB vaccines, a vaccine for Klebsiella pneumoniae<\/em> is still in the early stages of development. However, once available, these vaccines could save millions of lives, substantially reduce antibiotic usage, and further slow AMR’s advance.<\/p>\nVaccines: A cost-effective solution to combat AMR<\/h3>\n In addition to preventing illness, vaccines could dramatically reduce the economic burden of AMR. The report estimates that antibiotic-resistant infections cost the global healthcare system around $730bn annually.<\/p>\n
By reducing the prevalence of these infections, widespread vaccination could save roughly one-third of these hospital-related costs, freeing up resources for other healthcare needs.<\/p>\n
Vaccines against certain infections could also save millions of antibiotic doses each year. For instance, Streptococcus pneumoniae<\/em> vaccines, if given to 90% of the world\u2019s children and older adults, could save an estimated 33 million antibiotic doses annually.<\/p>\nAccelerating typhoid vaccine rollouts in high-burden regions could save 45 million doses, while vaccines for malaria could prevent 25 million antibiotic doses.<\/p>\n
Prioritising vaccines to protect global health<\/h3>\n As the AMR crisis continues to threaten global health, vaccines present a proactive, scalable solution to reduce antibiotic use and slow resistance.<\/p>\n
By expanding existing vaccine programs and prioritising the development of new vaccines, nations can address AMR and protect millions of lives, alleviating both health and economic burdens.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A WHO report reveals that increasing vaccine utilisation could lead to a 22% reduction in global antibiotic use.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":52605,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10551],"tags":[24363,24360],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
WHO: Vaccines could curb antibiotic use by 22%, tackling AMR<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n