30. April 2025

New project launched to advance vaccine uptake and address antimicrobial resistance in the Philippines

ICARS, in collaboration with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), is pleased to announce a new project selected through the joint Request for Proposals (RFP) titled “Advancing Vaccine Uptake to Mitigate Antimicrobial Resistance in Low- and Middle-Income Countries of South or South-East Asia.” The initiative, led by the ASMPH (Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health) Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI) and IQVIA Solutions Philippines, focuses on addressing the growing public health threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the Philippines by leveraging vaccine uptake. 

Addressing AMR through immunization 

The project aims to generate actionable, evidence-based strategies that integrate vaccination programmes with AMR control programmes, with an emphasis on data-driven approaches at national and sub-national levels. It will examine key pathogen-vaccine pairs, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and circulating influenza viruses, utilizing data from the Philippines’ Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and the Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Programme (ARSP). 

“Vaccines have long been recognized for their role in preventing disease, but their power to reduce antibiotic use is often overlooked,” said Dr Nandini Sreenivasan, Senior Science Advisor, ICARS. “By supporting this project, we aim to promote innovative, evidence-based approaches that place vaccines at the centre of AMR strategies in LMICs.” 

AMR poses a significant challenge in the Philippines, where in 2019 alone, an estimated 15,700 deaths were directly attributable to AMR. Vaccines offer a dual benefit in this context: preventing infections and thereby reducing antibiotic use and directly targeting resistant bacteria.  

Strategic objectives and focus areas 

The project aims to develop a robust framework for integrating vaccines into AMR control policies by identifying gaps in real-world data and building a sustainable, multidisciplinary AMR and Vaccines Network. Initially, the focus will be on three priority vaccines—Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV), Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Conjugate Vaccine (HiB), and influenza vaccines—due to their relevance to the country’s disease burden and existing vaccine infrastructure.

Key objectives include: 

  • Identifying gaps in national and regional data relevant to vaccine-driven AMR mitigation. 
  • Establishing a stakeholder-driven network to align immunization and AMR efforts. 
  • Creating a short- to medium-term action plan to measure the real-world impact of vaccines on AMR and antimicrobial use. 
  • Advancing advocacy and stakeholder engagement to elevate awareness of vaccines as a critical tool in AMR prevention. 

“Strengthening vaccine uptake in LMICs is an essential step toward safeguarding global health security,” said Laura Plant, Head of External Affairs at the European Regional Office of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI). “This collaboration with ICARS and our partners in the Philippines underscores the pivotal role of vaccines in a comprehensive AMR strategy.” 

A regional model for impact 

“Through this project, we hope to bridge the gap between immunization programs and AMR policy,” said Dr Geminn Louis C. Apostol, Project Leader, Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health. “We envision a future where vaccines are routinely considered a first line of defence not only against infection, but also against the rise of drug-resistant pathogens.” 

This initiative represents a significant step toward strengthening the Philippines’ public health response to AMR, with the potential to scale findings and strategies across other LMICs in the region. ICARS and IVI remain committed to supporting innovative and practical solutions that address AMR through sustainable, context-specific interventions. 

Photo credits

  • Banner image – photo by CDC on Unsplash
  • Cover image – photo by Eugene Chystiakov on Unsplash