Geneva: A new World Health Organization (WHO) study published today in eBioMedicine has identified 17 pathogens as top priorities for new vaccine development due to their frequent role in causing diseases within communities.
According to Emirates News Agency, this WHO study marks the first global initiative to systematically prioritize endemic pathogens. The prioritization is based on criteria such as regional disease burden, antimicrobial resistance risk, and socioeconomic impact. The study reconfirms longstanding priorities for vaccine research and development (R and D) for diseases like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, which together claim nearly 2.5 million lives annually.
Additionally, the study highlights pathogens such as Group A streptococcus and Klebsiella pneumoniae as critical targets for disease control across all regions. These pathogens have shown increasing resistance to antimicrobials, underscoring the urgency of developing new vaccines.
Dr. Kate O’Brien, Director of the Immunization, Vaccin
es and Biologicals Department at WHO, emphasized that global decisions on new vaccines have often been driven by the potential return on investment rather than the potential lives saved in vulnerable communities. She stated, “This study uses broad regional expertise and data to assess vaccines that would not only significantly reduce diseases impacting communities today but also reduce the medical costs faced by families and health systems.”
The study also mentions that pathogens such as the dengue virus, Group B Streptococcus, extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the respiratory syncytial virus are nearing regulatory approval or political recommendation for their vaccines. This new global priority list aligns with the Immunization Agenda 2030, aiming to ensure that everyone, regardless of region, can access vaccines that protect them from serious diseases.
