Council Conclusions on one health approach to combat AMR

Vaccines Europe welcomes the EU Health Council adoption of the Council Conclusions on the next steps under a one health approach to combat antimicrobial resistance. Vaccines Europe believes that a holistic approach that takes into account alternative approaches which can reduce the use of antibiotics should be considered as part of a long term strategy to combat this global public health issue. The Council Conclusions call upon the Member States to “encourage the use of alternative treatment and prevention options including vaccines and the development and use of affordable diagnostics tests in human and veterinary medicine“, which is in line with recent evidence that suggests that antibiotic use can decrease in association with the initiation of immunisation programmes or increased uptake of available vaccines. The Vaccines Europe members are committed to this global health issue by investing in the development of vaccines that target resistant bacteria that causes healthcare associated infections, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile which would play a crucial role in tackling drug resistance.

Find here a draft Vaccines Europe paper on the Role of vaccination in reducing antimicrobial resistance.