December 2, 2024 from Medscape
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses one of the greatest health threats of the 21st century, claiming 1.27 million lives annually. Without immediate action, AMR-related deaths could surpass those caused by cancer by 2050, warns Arnaud Marchant, MD, PhD, director of the European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology (EPIV-ULB).
The Growing Threat of AMR
AMR occurs when bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, rendering once-effective treatments powerless. “An increasing number of bacteria are becoming resistant to more antibiotics,” cautioned Marc Van Ranst, PhD, virologist at KU Leuven. If current trends continue, antibiotics may lose their efficacy entirely within 25 years.
Beyond bacterial infections, AMR is exacerbated by the misuse of antibiotics for viral infections. Van Ranst noted, “Vaccines prevent illness, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use and helping to mitigate AMR.”
Vaccination: A Preventive Solution
Vaccination offers a proactive approach to combating AMR. According to Marchant, vaccines reduce the spread of resistant pathogens in three key ways:
- Preventing Bacterial Infections: Vaccines like those for pneumococcal pneumonia reduce the need for antibiotics.
- Minimizing Misuse: Preventing viral infections limits inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions.
- Herd Immunity: Vaccination slows the spread of resistant pathogens through community-wide protection.
Strategic Focus Areas
EPIV-ULB emphasizes several strategies to maximize the impact of vaccination:
- Expand Vaccine Coverage: Prioritize at-risk populations, such as the elderly and pregnant women, to prevent infections.
- Innovate and Educate: Develop new vaccines, enhance surveillance, and educate both the public and healthcare professionals to promote vaccine uptake and responsible antibiotic use.
- Collaborate Globally: Address AMR as a multifactorial challenge through partnerships between governments, healthcare sectors, and industries.
A Call for Action
AMR is a global crisis requiring immediate and coordinated action. “Vaccination remains a cornerstone in combating AMR,” said Elisabeth Van Damme of GSK. By reducing the need for antibiotics and slowing the spread of resistance, vaccination serves as a vital tool in mitigating this public health challenge.
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