Vaccination to preventantimicrobial resistance

The value of vaccination in preventing drug-resistant infections (AMR) is both direct and indirect. The benefits of vaccination have been quantified through modelling, but more empirical evidence is needed to validate these analyses. Wellcome launched a call for proposals in 2019 to generate additional evidence on the impact of vaccination on AMR, funding 13 projects focusing on different settings, pathogens, and experimental approaches. The projects found further evidence that vaccination can impact antibiotic use and AMR gene prevalence, although effects vary by pathogen and setting. The effects of vaccination on AMR are dependent on a complex pathway, with uncertainties at multiple levels, making it difficult to quantify the impact. Future research should prioritize empirical evidence, standardize evidence, and focus on real-life contexts to better understand the indirect effects of vaccination on AMR.