…A new push to reduce antimicrobial resistance and prevent millions of deaths with better vaccine access and development.
By Bunmi Yekini
A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals a powerful solution to the escalating global health crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR): vaccines. The report finds that vaccinating against 24 key pathogens could slash global antibiotic use by 22%, or 2.5 billion doses annually, offering a crucial lifeline in the fight against drug-resistant infections. As AMR claims nearly 5 million lives each year, this research highlights how expanding access to existing vaccines and fast-tracking the development of new ones could prevent untreatable infections, save lives, and ease the immense strain on healthcare systems worldwide.
AMR, which arises when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines, poses one of the most serious global health threats today. Misuse and overuse of antimicrobials are the primary drivers, yet large portions of the global population still lack access to essential treatments. In light of these challenges, vaccines offer a critical solution by preventing infections and reducing the need for antimicrobial treatment.
“Addressing antimicrobial resistance starts with preventing infections, and vaccines are among the most powerful tools for doing that,” WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “Prevention is better than cure, and increasing access to existing vaccines and developing new ones for critical diseases, like tuberculosis, is critical to saving lives and turning the tide on AMR.”
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According to the report, vaccines already available against pneumococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenzae type B, and typhoid could avert up to 106,000 AMR-related deaths each year. If new vaccines, particularly for tuberculosis (TB) and Klebsiella pneumoniae, are developed and made widely available, the global death toll could drop even further, by an estimated 543,000 annually.
“Vaccines not only protect individuals but also reduce the pressure to overuse antibiotics,” said Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, WHO’s Chief Scientist. “Every dose administered brings us closer to controlling AMR and reducing the burden on healthcare systems globally.”
Key pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Plasmodium falciparum (malaria), and TB stand out in the report for their potential to dramatically cut antibiotic usage. Vaccinating 90% of the world’s children and older adults against Streptococcus pneumoniae could save 33 million antibiotic doses annually, while speeding up typhoid vaccine programs in high-burden countries could save 45 million doses. Once developed, a TB vaccine could save up to 1.9 billion doses, making it the most impactful solution.
The economic benefits are also substantial. Globally, the hospital costs of treating resistant pathogens are estimated at $730 billion annually. Vaccines, if fully rolled out for all the evaluated pathogens, could slash these costs by one-third, offering significant savings in addition to saving lives.
The report comes on the heels of the 79th United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR, where world leaders pledged to cut AMR-related deaths by 10% by 2030. The political declaration highlighted the need for enhanced access to vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics while calling for greater investment in health research and innovation.
“Vaccines are a cornerstone of our strategy to fight AMR,” said Dr. Ghebreyesus. “Their power to prevent infections can not only save lives but also ease the burden on healthcare systems, allowing us to focus resources where they are needed most.”