Abstract
Interest in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has grown recently but little effort has been made to consider how existing and new vaccines could impact on AMR. A 2017 Chatham House meeting considered the role of vaccines and how to demonstrate their value through their impact on AMR. Ways existing vaccines have reduced antibiotic prescribing and the prevalence of some resistant organisms were reviewed. Other new vaccines could have a similar impact. In gonorrhoea, where complete resistance has developed, vaccine may be the best option. Valuing the impact of vaccines on AMR was challenging: there were difficult methodological issues and a lack of data for modelling. A participant poll suggested priorities for accelerated vaccine development were tuberculosis, typhoid, influenza, RSV and gonorrhoea. More evidence is needed to convince policymakers but that vaccine development projects should be considered by funders on the same basis as those for new antibiotics or diagnostics.
Highlights
As the political interest in addressing the growing threat from antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has intensified, much attention has been focussed on ways in which new incentives for research and development (R&D) can be provided to hasten the development of new antimicrobials which can attack pathogens which have become resistant, or where resistance is growing
There is no doubt that addressing a threat as significant and complex as AMR requires a portfolio of solutions – including new antimicrobials, better diagnostics and better stewardship
The purpose of the meeting was to review current knowledge and activities on the role of vaccines in combatting AMR, and to consider the issues involved in modelling how their value in this role could be established. This was with a view, in particular, to ensuring that national and international policies on their use and support for R&D efforts properly recognized the contribution of vaccines in mitigating the growth of AMR [4]
Summary
As the political interest in addressing the growing threat from antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has intensified, much attention has been focussed on ways in which new incentives for research and development (R&D) can be provided to hasten the development of new antimicrobials which can attack pathogens which have become resistant, or where resistance is growing. There is no doubt that addressing a threat as significant and complex as AMR requires a portfolio of solutions – including new antimicrobials, better diagnostics and better stewardship. It requires that more attention be paid to a range of measures that prevent infection and reduce the use of antimicrobials including improved sanitation and the wider use of vaccines. While the role of vaccines in combatting antimicrobial resistance has been mentioned or considered in recent reports and plans on AMR, much less effort has been put into supporting the greater use of existing vaccines and the development of new ones to address AMR. The report noted that spending on vaccine R&D lags behind that on new drugs, and in the current global healthcare paradigm, far more effort and reward goes to treatment than to prevention
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