Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is growing on a global scale and has become a top 10 health threat that affects the effectiveness of antimicrobial medicines. With approximately 5 million deaths linked to bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 2019, and projections indicating a significant rise by 2050 if unaddressed, urgent action is essential.
November 2024
As World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) approaches this November (from 18th to the 24th) global health organisations are ramping up efforts to raise awareness about the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to prevent the emergence and transmission of drug-resistant infections.
AMR, which undermines the treatment of infectious diseases, is one of the most pressing health challenges of our time. The week-long initiative encourages coordinated global action to slow down the spread of resistance and safeguard public health for future generations.
Are vaccines part of the solution?
The role of vaccines in fighting AMR, has often been underrecognised. However, vaccines can effectively prepare the immune system to defend against pathogens before infections occur or worsen. By reducing the likelihood of infection, vaccinated individuals face fewer illnesses and are less likely to experience secondary infections that might otherwise necessitate the use of antimicrobials or lead to hospitalisation. Vaccines are a long-term solution to combat AMR, reducing antibiotic use, reducing illnesses, and slowing resistance development.
Investing in novel vaccines is a proactive strategy for mitigating AMR burden that has contributed to roughly 5 million deaths, of which 1.27 million deaths can be directly attributed to AMR2. Vaccines hold the potential to prevent 515,000 of these deaths by decreasing the incidence of infections, transmission of pathogens, antibiotic use, and the development of resistant genes. They create herd immunity and provide long-term solutions for AMR. According to a recent WHO report [3], existing vaccines can potentially prevent as many as 106,000 deaths each year, along with 9.1 million disability-adjusted life years, $861 million in hospital expenses, and $5.9 billion in productivity losses related to AMR. Vaccines in late-stage clinical development have the potential to prevent up to 130,000 deaths each year, 5.0 million DALYs, $1.2 billion in hospital costs, and $2.2 billion in productivity losses. Thus, it is key to recognise the importance of vaccines in decreasing AMR and encourage their inclusion in global, regional, and national AMR and immunisation strategies.
How are we tackling it? - EVI’s contribution
As AMR continues to evolve, it is critical to invest in the development of new vaccines to target resistant microbes. European Vaccine Initiative (EVI) is actively contributing to the global effort against AMR by driving innovative vaccine technologies and coordinating initiatives like:
PrIMAVeRa project is developing a comprehensive pan-European data repository and an AI-based tool for estimating the impact of vaccination. The outcomes of PrIMAVeRa will empower policy makers to invest in vaccines with the highest impact on the reduction of AMR.
DRAIGON is creating an in vitro diagnostic device that combines artificial intelligence (AI) with whole-genome sequencing for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of patients infected multi-drug resistance microorganisms and to reduce the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance.
ShigaPlexIM is developing an injectable Shigella vaccine. The vaccine, InvaplexAR-Detox, has already completed a successful Phase I trial in U.S adults without adjuvant. A phase Ia/b clinical trial in European and African adults has just started (SunShine). If proven effective, this vaccine will bolster the R&D pipeline against diarrheal diseases.
ShigETECvax consortium is advancing a new approach, a combination vaccine designed to prevent Shigella and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infections, two bacteria that cause significant cases of diarrhoea and suffering globally.
WAAW 2024 is an opportunity to take collective action against one of the most pressing health challenges of our time. By educating ourselves, advocating for stronger measures, and acting decisively, we can save and protect lives.
[1] Ho CS, et al. Antimicrobial resistance: a concise update. Lancet Microbe. 2024 Sep 12:100947. doi: 10.1016/j.lanmic.2024.07.010.
[2] Antimicrobial Resistance Collaborators. Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019: a systematic analysis. Lancet. 2022 Feb 12;399(10325):629-655. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02724-0.
[3] WHO 2024, Estimating the impact of vaccines in reducing antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic use: technical report.
Photo/video credit: WHO Media Library (canto.global)
Acknowledgments:
DRAIGON: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101137383.
SHIETECVAX has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 815568.
ShigaPlexIM is part of the EDCTP2 Programme supported by the European Union (RIA2018V-2308)
PrIMAVeRa has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No 101034420. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and EFPIA.