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Epidemics

World Health Organization Calls for Increased Vaccine Development and Equitable Access to Tackle Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a report highlighting the need for increased vaccine development and improved access to existing vaccines to combat antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria. The report identifies 61 vaccine candidates, but notes that only one of the top six bacterial pathogens responsible for deaths due to AMR has a vaccine. The WHO is urging countries to make better use of available vaccines and to work towards equitable access to life-saving vaccines. The organization is also calling for disruptive approaches to accelerate vaccine development, leveraging lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WHO report identifies 61 vaccine candidates against AMR bacteria, but notes that most will not be available soon.
  • Only one of the top six bacterial pathogens responsible for deaths due to AMR has a vaccine, with affordable and equitable access to vaccines like pneumococcus urgently needed.
  • The WHO is calling for countries to make better use of existing vaccines, such as those against pneumococcal disease, tuberculosis, and Typhoid fever.
  • Disruptive approaches are needed to accelerate vaccine development, including leveraging lessons from COVID-19 vaccine development and mRNA vaccines.
  • Barriers to vaccine innovation and development include the difficulty in defining target populations, cost and complexity of vaccine efficacy trials, and lack of regulatory or policy precedent.
  • Successful vaccine candidates require complex regulatory and manufacturing requirements, prolonging the time to market.

Statistics:

  • 61 vaccine candidates against AMR bacteria are in development.
  • Nearly 5 million deaths per year are associated with resistant bacterial infections.
  • 1.2 million deaths per year are directly attributed to AMR.
  • Only one of the top six bacterial pathogens responsible for deaths due to AMR has a vaccine.

Sources:

  • World Health Organization (WHO) - "Antimicrobial Resistance Report" (report)
  • WHO (www.who.int)
  • Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Dr. Haileyesus Getahun, Director of the WHO's AMR Global Coordination Department
  • Dr. Kate O'Brien, Director of the WHO's Department for Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals

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