October 01, 2026
The Impact of Antimicrobial Resistance in Mozambique
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites evolve over time and stop responding to medicines, making infections tough to treat and raising the risk of disease spread, serious illness, and death.
By the numbers: In Mozambique in 2021 there were –
- 49,849 Deaths from Bacterial Infections
- 24,500 Deaths Associated with Bacterial AMR
- 5,760 Deaths Attributed to Bacterial AMR
There were 10,500 deaths associated with AMR and 1,030 deaths per 100,000 attributable to AMR in children under 5 years old.
The Role of Vaccines in Controlling AMR
- Vaccines reduce infections by providing direct protection and promoting herd immunity.
- Prevention of infections reduces the spread of drug-resistant germs and the need for treatment with antibiotics.
- Treating drug-resistant infections is expensive. Vaccines reduce healthcare costs and prevent catastrophic expenses for families.
Top Recommendations to Leverage Vaccines in the Fight to Control AMR in Mozambique
- Strengthen immunization programs to increase vaccine coverage, and implement targeted catch-up vaccination campaigns, particularly for under-immunized populations.
- Integrate clear, specific, and measurable vaccination targets into broader AMR strategies, including updates to the National Action Plan on AMR.
- Incorporate childhood vaccination sensitization into grassroots and community AMR awareness campaigns
Read the GARP-Mozambique policy brief, “The Role of Vaccines in Mitigating Antimicrobial Resistance in Mozambique,” here.
