Impact of vaccines on antimicrobial resistance.

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a real and current threat to public health, yet the role of vaccines in combating this crisis remains underutilized and under-recognized. This meeting report summarizes key insights from a multidisciplinary workshop convened by the Microbiology Society in February 2025, as part of the Knocking Out AMR initiative, bringing together 21 expert stakeholders across academia, industry, clinical and veterinary sectors and policy. The workshop explored how vaccines can reduce the burden of AMR by preventing infections, limiting antibiotic use and slowing resistance development. Discussions highlighted the need to strengthen the evidence base for vaccine-mediated AMR reduction, address policy and regulatory barriers and incentivize public-private collaboration in vaccine development. Participants called for AMR impact to be formally recognized in vaccine labelling and national immunization strategies, and for greater integration of vaccines into AMR action plans. The workshop also underscored the importance of One Health approaches, investment in research for both human and animal vaccines and the role of the microbiology community in driving change.