Björn Gillsäter
Managing Director, Global Donor Relations, Advocacy and Fundraising, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
While antimicrobial resistance (AMR) action plans typically emphasise antibiotics and hygiene, a critical solution remains underutilised: immunisation.
Vaccines prevent infections before they start, reducing the need for antibiotics and slowing the spread of resistance. Yet, only 13% of national antimicrobial resistance (AMR) plans currently incorporate immunisation as a key intervention.1
The UK’s Role in AMR Prevention through Immunisation
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, supports vaccines against diseases like pneumonia, typhoid and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), which are highly effective against AMR. As a major donor, the UK strengthens global health security by funding Gavi’s work, advancing its own AMR strategy.
AMR is an urgent global health threat requiring sustained political action and effective countermeasures. A key intervention to prevent and reduce AMR — immunisation — is currently undervalued and underutilised.
Immunisation is an overlooked tool in AMR action plans
In 2022, only 14 out of 108 national AMR plans (13%) included immunisation as a tool for AMR prevention.2 Yet, vaccines are among the most impactful and cost-effective ways to tackle AMR.
Universal access to vaccines, alongside improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), plus better infection prevention and control, could prevent around 750,000 annual deaths from antibiotic-resistant bacteria in low and middle-income countries.3
As of June 2024, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has supported vaccines against 20 infectious diseases, including pneumococcal, typhoid and Hib, which are particularly powerful in preventing AMR.
The UK plays a crucial role in
strengthening global health security.
UK investment in global health security
The UK plays a crucial role in strengthening global health security, through substantial financial support and strategic global health partnerships, which include leadership in global immunisation as well as innovations in science and research. This reflects the UK’s commitment to fighting AMR globally and aligns with the UK’s own AMR action plan, supporting cross-border infection control efforts, directly benefiting UK public health.
Diseases don’t stop at borders. From 2026–2030, Gavi will strengthen its role in global health security– expanding vaccine programmes to prevent outbreak-prone diseases at source, while also securing emergency stockpiles. Over half the vaccines in Gavi’s portfolio will help countries adapt to AMR and climate change, which exacerbates the spread of infectious diseases.
The UK’s leadership in immunisation and Gavi’s work are essential as we approach 2030 and the conclusion of the Sustainable Development Goals. Since 2000, Gavi has reached over 1 billion children and during 2026-2030 aims to reach 500 million children, protecting them at twice the speed against diseases that in many cases require antibiotics for treatment. Sustained investment in immunisation strengthens global health and is a direct line of defence for the UK against the growing threat of AMR.
[1] Charani, Esmita et al. An analysis of existing national action plans for antimicrobial resistance—gaps and opportunities in strategies optimising antibiotic use in human populations. The Lancet Global Health, Volume 11, Issue 3, e466 – e474.
[2] Murray, Christopher J L et al. Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019: a systematic analysis. The Lancet, Volume 399, Issue 10325, 629 – 655.
[3] Lewnard, Joseph A et al. Burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in low-income and middle-income countries avertible by existing interventions: an evidence review and modelling analysis. The Lancet, Volume 403, Issue 10442, 2439 – 2454.
