The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a report assessing how vaccines could help to reduce infections caused by bacteria that are resistant to killing by antibiotics (termed antimicrobial resistance or AMR). The report was written after a meeting of experts, including Professor Jeremy Brown, Breathing Matters lead for lung infections, was held in Geneva to discuss how vaccines could be used to tackle antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Traditionally, vaccines have just been considered as a way of preventing infections, with their role in potentially reducing the level of antibiotic resistance in bacteria causing these infections somewhat overlooked. This report emphasises that vaccines are actually a vital tool for limiting the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and infections caused by these bacteria, which in turn will reduce our need to use antibiotics and help reduce how many bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. The report has looked at 44 different vaccines that prevent 24 types of bacteria or virus causing infections, including vaccines that are still being developed. The report shows that, if existing vaccines were used effectively, they could potentially prevent:
- Up to 106,000 deaths per year
- $861 million in hospital expenses each year
- $5.9 billion in productivity losses annually
- Cut down antibiotic use by 142 million defined daily doses per year.
However, while these numbers are significant, they represent only a small portion of the 5 million deaths linked to AMR infections each year. This indicates that current vaccines alone cannot solve the problem of AMR, highlighting the urgent need for new vaccines to be developed.
To read the full report, visit here.
[Published Nov24]