WHO report highlights vaccines' potential to cut antibiotic use by 2.5 billion doses annually

A new WHO report states that vaccines could reduce global antibiotic use by 2.5 billion doses annually, addressing antimicrobial resistance. Vaccines against 24 pathogens could lower antibiotic use by 22%, preventing infections and slowing the rise of drug-resistant pathogens. The report emphasizes the importance of existing vaccines, like those for pneumococcus and Hib, which could prevent 106,000 AMR-related deaths each year. New vaccines for tuberculosis and Klebsiella could save 543,000 lives annually once developed and distributed. World leaders aim to reduce AMR-related deaths by 10% by 2030, with expanded vaccine access as a key strategy. The WHO stresses that increasing vaccine availability is crucial for tackling this global health issue.