On October 17, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report emphasizing the critical role of vaccines in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a significant global health threat responsible for nearly five million deaths annually. The report highlights that vaccines can prevent infections, thereby reducing the reliance on antimicrobials and slowing the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens.
According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, addressing AMR effectively begins with infection prevention, where vaccines serve as vital tools. The report identifies that vaccines against 24 pathogens could decrease the global need for antibiotics by 22 percent, equating to approximately 2.5 billion defined daily doses each year.
The analysis reveals that existing vaccines for pneumococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and typhoid could prevent up to 106,000 deaths linked to AMR annually. Furthermore, the introduction of new vaccines for tuberculosis (TB) and Klebsiella pneumoniae could avert an additional 543,000 deaths each year.
WHO’s findings indicate that increased vaccination rates could significantly lower infection rates and the incidence of complications requiring antimicrobial treatment. For instance, vaccinating 90 percent of children and older adults against Streptococcus pneumoniae could save 33 million antibiotic doses annually.
The economic implications of AMR are substantial, with hospital costs for treating resistant pathogens estimated at $730 billion each year. Implementing vaccines targeting these pathogens could potentially reduce these costs by one-third.
During the recent UN General Assembly High-Level Week, global leaders adopted a political declaration aimed at reducing deaths associated with bacterial AMR by 10 percent by 2030. This declaration underscores the importance of enhancing access to vaccines, medicines, diagnostics, and the need for financial support for research and innovation in the fight against AMR.