WHO Identifies 17 Pathogens Requiring Urgent Vaccine Development To Save Lives

A recent World Health Organization (WHO) study in eBioMedicine has identified 17 pathogens that frequently cause diseases in communities as top targets for new vaccine development. This marks the first global initiative to systematically prioritise endemic pathogens, considering factors like regional disease burden, antimicrobial resistance risk, and socioeconomic impact.

The study reaffirms the importance of vaccine research for diseases like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. These three illnesses claim nearly 2.5 million lives annually. Additionally, it highlights pathogens such as Group A streptococcus and Klebsiella pneumoniae as urgent priorities due to their increasing resistance to antimicrobials.

Dr. Kate O’Brien, WHO's Director of the Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals Department, stated, "Too often global decisions on new vaccines have been solely driven by return on investment, rather than by the number of lives that could be saved in the most vulnerable communities." She emphasised that this study uses extensive regional expertise and data to evaluate vaccines that could significantly reduce disease impact and medical costs for families and health systems.

Some pathogens are close to receiving regulatory approval or political recommendation for their vaccines. These include the dengue virus, Group B Streptococcus, extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the respiratory syncytial virus. The WHO's global priority list supports the Immunization Agenda 2030’s aim to ensure everyone can access vaccines protecting them from serious diseases.

This initiative underscores the need for a shift from profit-driven vaccine decisions towards saving lives in vulnerable communities. By focusing on these pathogens, the WHO aims to address significant health challenges while reducing healthcare costs globally.

With inputs from WAM