What's Happening?
A recent roundtable organized by the Microbiology Society emphasized the critical role of vaccines in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The discussions, summarized in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, highlighted that vaccines are often overlooked in antimicrobial stewardship. Experts, including Mateusz Hasso-Agopsowicz from the World Health Organization, stressed the potential of vaccines to prevent infections and reduce antibiotic use. The report called for vaccines to be explicitly included in national and global AMR action plans. The NHS's rollout of a gonorrhoea vaccine was cited as a significant step in tackling antibiotic resistance.
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Why It's Important?
The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance poses a significant challenge to global health, with vaccines offering a promising solution. By reducing the need for antibiotics, vaccines can help curb the emergence of resistant strains. The report suggests that better vaccine utilization could reduce antibiotic use by 22% and prevent over 100,000 deaths annually. This highlights the need for policy changes to recognize the role of vaccines in AMR strategies, potentially leading to increased funding and development of new vaccines.
What's Next?
The report urges policymakers to incorporate vaccines into AMR action plans and suggests that demonstrating the benefits of vaccines in reducing AMR could drive demand and commercial viability. This could lead to more robust vaccine approval frameworks and increased investment in vaccine research and development.
Beyond the Headlines
The discussions also pointed to a gap in policy focus, as AMR is not currently included in the terms of reference for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Addressing this gap could enhance the strategic use of vaccines in public health.
