2023-07-31 00:10:15
According to WHO forecasts, by 2050 antimicrobial resistance would cause 10 million deaths globally.
Furthermore, it is predicted that it will cost the world economy around 100 billion dollars between 2014 and 2050.
The regions that would benefit most from adequate vaccination schedules would be Africa and Southeast Asia.
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest current problems, although thanks to vaccines its impact could be reduced. This phenomenon occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change and no longer respond to existing treatments. It is only necessary to remember that each year there are 4.95 million deaths related to drug resistance. In addition, the trend indicates that the number will increasingly be higher.
For its part, in 2019 this problem was cataloged by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top 10 global threats to public health. Therefore, he requested not only to make a better use of the drugs, but also to propose some alternative solutions.
A new benefit of vaccines
Now a new study published in BMJ Global Health found that vaccines could save more than half a million lives each year related to antimicrobial resistance.
The study was carried out by the WHO, the Korea International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The authors used 2019 data to model the potential impact of 15 new and existing vaccines against pathogens on the WHO priority list.
They found that if the vaccines were used for key populations, not only could half a million lives be saved, but 28 million disability-adjusted life years would be averted. In the scenario, where seven of the vaccines were used for broader populations, 1.2 million deaths would be prevented.
The most benefited regions
According to the study, the greatest reduction in the burden would be felt in the Africa and South-East Asia Regions, which currently account for two-thirds of the burden of vaccine-preventable antimicrobial resistance.
Such introductions and expansions would have a particular impact in reducing the burden of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) and Streptococcus pneumoniae facing these regions.
In 2021 the estimated proportion of people with TB who were also drug resistant was 3.6% among new cases and 18% among previously treated cases.
Las Vaccines are a valuable tool to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance along with other measures to prevent, diagnose, and treat infections. This list includes guaranteeing access to water, sanitation and hygiene, especially in health facilities; infection prevention and control programs; and ensure access to and appropriate use of diagnostic tools and essential medicines, including antibiotics.
For their part, vaccines contribute to a decrease in infections among vaccinated and unvaccinated populations, in addition to reducing the need to use antimicrobials, which reduces the risk of misuse. This, in turn, helps reduce the risk of the emergence and spread of resistant strains.
Also read:
UNAM studies “predatory” viruses to combat antimicrobial resistance
WHO changes the name of the strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial resistance, how many deaths does it cause and what is the prognosis for 2050?
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