Since the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines have become one of the most familiar tools in public health, known for the ability to prevent infectious diseases. While much attention has been paid to their role in combating viral infection, vaccines also play a critical role in preventing bacterial infections, such as pneumonia and meningitis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has now emphasized that increased vaccine use could significantly reduce antibiotic reliance, potentially cutting over 2.5 billion doses annually. This significant reduction is attributed to the vaccines’ effectiveness in preventing bacterial infection which would require antibiotic treatment.
While WHO has been constantly warning about the urgent need to address the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, we must understand that this growing threat not only complicates treatment options but also poses a significant risk to global health. By expanding access to vaccines, we can lessen our dependence on antibiotics, thereby contributing to the mitigation of the AMR impacts. WHO noted that 543,000 deaths from AMR could be prevented annually with new vaccines for tuberculosis (TB) and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
With the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives annually, the global community must prioritize improving access to vaccines as part of the broader strategy to address AMR.
Reference:
World Health Organization. (2024). Better use of vaccines could reduce antibiotic use by 2.5 billion doses annually, says WHO. https://www.who.int/news/item/10-10-2024-better-use-of-vaccines-could-reduce-antibiotic-use-by-2.5-billion-doses-annually--says-who
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