Baku, November 7, AZERTAC
A new study from the World Health Organization (WHO) published in eBioMedicine (in English) identifies 17 pathogens, regularly causing diseases that strike communities, as being top priorities for the development of new vaccines. This WHO study is the first global initiative to systematically prioritize endemic pathogens based on criteria such as regional disease burden, risk of antimicrobial resistance and social impact. -economic, according to the WHO website.
The study reaffirms long-standing vaccine research and development (R&D) priorities, particularly to combat HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, three diseases that collectively kill nearly 2.5 million deaths each year.
The study also identifies pathogens such as Group A Streptococcus and Klebsiella pneumoniae as key disease control priorities in all Regions, highlighting the urgency of developing new vaccines against pathogens of increasingly resistant to antimicrobials.
“Too often, global decisions about new vaccines have been driven solely by return on investment, rather than how many lives could be saved in the most vulnerable communities,” said Dr Kate O’Brien, Director of the WHO Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals. “This study draws on extensive regional expertise and data to evaluate vaccines that would not only significantly reduce diseases that have a major impact on communities today, but also reduce the medical costs faced by families and communities. health systems are facing. »
WHO has asked international and regional experts to identify the factors they consider most important when deciding which vaccines to introduce and use. Analysis of these preferences, combined with regional data for each pathogen, made it possible to determine the 10 priority pathogens for each WHO region. The regional lists were then consolidated to compose the global list, resulting in 17 priority endemic pathogens for which new vaccines must be researched, developed and used.
This new global list of priority endemic pathogens for vaccine R&D is consistent with the Immunization Agenda 2030’s goal of ensuring that everyone, in all regions, can benefit vaccines that protect them against serious illnesses. The list provides a fair and transparent evidence base that will inform regional and global programs for R&D on new vaccines and their manufacturing, and aims to give academics, funders, manufacturers and countries a clear direction on where vaccine R&D could have the most impact.
This exercise in prioritizing globally endemic pathogens complements the WHO R&D Blueprint for Epidemic Prevention, which identified priority pathogens likely to cause future epidemics or pandemics , such as COVID-19 or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
The findings of this new report on endemic pathogens are part of WHO’s work to identify and support research priorities and immunization program needs in low- and middle-income countries, guide the global vaccine R&D agenda and strategically advance the development and adoption of priority vaccines, particularly against pathogens that represent the greatest public health burden and have significant socio- economic are the most burdensome.
WHO list of priority endemic pathogens
Vaccines against these pathogens are at different stages of development.
Pathogens for which vaccine research is necessary
Group A streptococci ; Hepatitis C virus; HIV-1 ; Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Pathogens for which vaccine development should continue
Cytomegalovirus; Influenza virus (broadly protective vaccine); Leishmania (several species); Non-typhoid Salmonella; Norovirus; Plasmodium falciparum (malaria); Shigella (several species); Staphylococcus aureus.
Pathogens for which vaccines are near regulatory approval, recommendation, or introduction
Dengue virus; Group B streptococci; Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
