#Vaccines are one of our most powerful tools in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. By preventing infections, vaccines reduce the need for antibiotics, slowing the development of antibiotic resistance. Integrating vaccines into a life course immunisation approach is essential to safeguarding public health and protecting future generations.
In his message for World AMR Awareness Week (#WAAW), MEP Tiemo Wölken, Chair of the MEP Interest Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), highlights why urgent action against AMR is vital to safeguarding public health and Europe’s future. Each year, AMR claims over 33,000 lives across Europe. If no further action is taken, AMR could kill more people than cancer and diabetes combined by 2050. The MEP Interest Group on AMR, co-hosted by HCWH Europe and the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), with support from the AMR Stakeholder Network, is planning to contribute to the EU efforts to address AMR by: 🔹Contributing to the global targets of reduction of antibiotic-resistant Infections The interest group will work to help the EU meet commitments from the UNGA High-Level Meeting on AMR, including a target to reduce antibiotic-resistant infections worldwide by 10% by 2030. 🤝 Strengthening multi-stakeholder collaborations To drive coordinated action, the group is reinforcing connections with key multi-stakeholder platforms, including the European Commission’s One Health Network and the Quadripartite Multi Stakeholder Partnership Platform (FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH). 🔍 Overseeing key legislative files The group is committed to overseeing the drafting and implementation of active files affecting AMR, such as the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, the Pharmaceutical Package, and the Veterinary Medicines Legislation.