Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is projected to claim up to 10 million lives annually by 2050. Vaccines for antimicrobial resistance prevention are a proven but underutilised tool to reduce infections, antibiotic use and the spread of resistant pathogens.
A new ICARS-supported commentary, “The missing link in combating antimicrobial resistance: leveraging vaccines for prevention,” highlights that vaccines remain largely absent from national AMR strategies, with limited integration into targets, financing and surveillance systems.
Vaccines prevent infections and reduce the need for antibiotics. This helps limit resistant pathogen circulation and decrease the selective pressure that drives AMR.
Evidence cited in the paper shows that:
- Pediatric vaccination could prevent approximately 181,500 AMR-associated deaths annually in low- and middle-income countries
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines reduce nonsusceptible infections by 56.9%
- Influenza vaccination reduces antibiotic use among healthy adults
Despite this, immunisation and AMR programmes often operate separately, with different governance structures, financing streams and data systems.
From evidence to implementation
The paper identifies five priority actions to integrate vaccines for AMR prevention into national systems:
- Strengthen collaboration between immunisation and AMR stakeholders
- Embed vaccine coverage targets into AMR action plans
- Link immunisation and AMR surveillance systems
- Recognise vaccines as core investments within AMR financing
- Prioritise research and development for vaccines targeting resistant pathogens
Why this matters
Vaccines reduce infection burden and antibiotic use, making them a critical component of efforts to address AMR.
The paper highlights the need to move from evidence to implementation by embedding vaccines for antimicrobial resistance prevention within national policies, financing mechanisms and surveillance systems.
