Better use of vaccines could reduce antibiotic use by 2.5 billion doses annually

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that vaccines against 24 pathogens could reduce antibiotic use by 22% or 2.5 billion daily doses globally every year, supporting efforts to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines, increasing the risk of illness, death, and the spread of difficult-to-treat infections. Vaccines are essential in preventing infections, reducing the use and overuse of antimicrobials, and slowing the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens. The report also estimates that existing vaccines could avert up to 106,000 AMR deaths annually.