October 10, 2024
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global issue that threatens progress made in modern medicine. Antimicrobial overuse and misuse are considered primary drivers of AMR and are highly impacted by infectious disease burden. Therefore, the prevention of infection and the reduction of reliance on antibiotics are essential mitigation measures for AMR. In October 2023, the Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership-South Africa (GARP-SA) group convened to review the available evidence on the impact of vaccines on AMR in South Africa and discuss the barriers, enablers, and solutions to integrate vaccination as a pivotal strategy in efforts to combat AMR.
The Question:
How can vaccines be leveraged in South Africa to control the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and reduce the overuse and misuse of antibiotics? What is needed to ensure the uptake of vaccines to control AMR in South Africa?
What we found:
In South Africa, studies show that vaccines against tuberculosis (TB), pneumococcal, and rotavirus infections not only prevent illness but also reduce antibiotic use, which helps slow the development of AMR. For example, a TB vaccine could prevent thousands of drug-resistant cases, while the pneumococcal vaccine has effectively reduced antibiotic-treated infections in children. Despite this evidence supporting the role of vaccines in combating AMR, this strategy remains underappreciated and underused. The barriers to fully integrating vaccines into AMR strategies include a lack of coordination between health programs, limited public awareness, and challenges in adult vaccination programs.
Improving collaboration between vaccination and AMR programs could significantly reduce the burden of resistant infections. This requires strong partnerships among governments, healthcare providers, and communities. Increasing vaccine access and improving public health messaging are crucial in this fight. Ultimately, investing in vaccines will not only improve health outcomes but also help reduce the economic costs of AMR in the short and long term.
Read the article published in the South African Medical Journal here.
