A new report from the World Health Organization has revealed that vaccines targeting 24 pathogens could reduce global antibiotic usage by 22%, or approximately 2.5 billion daily doses each year, contributing to the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). While some vaccines are available but underutilized, others must be developed and made accessible soon. AMR, which results from the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, leads to increased illness, death, and the spread of hard-to-treat infections.
Nearly 5 million deaths worldwide are associated with AMR annually, highlighting the critical role vaccines play in preventing infections, reducing antimicrobial usage, and curbing the rise of drug-resistant pathogens. The report estimates that current vaccines for diseases such as Pneumococcal pneumonia, Hemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and Typhoid could prevent up to 106,000…
