Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Explained: FAQs on Global Impact, Vaccination, and Solutions

Antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics are different types of anti-infective medications and have long been used to combat infectious disease. However, the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide is undermining these once-reliable treatments.  

What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)? 

AMR happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve and no longer respond to the medicines designed to kill them. As a result, infections become harder to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. 

Who is most affected by AMR? 

AMR is a global issue but people living in low-resource settings are disproportionately affected by it. These communities face increased vulnerability due to poor access to vaccines, basic health care, and infrastructure needed to prevent infections in homes, health care facilities, and farms. 

What is being done to combat AMR? 

Combatting AMR requires coordinated global action across health, agriculture, and environmental sectors, which makes it a complex problem to solve. In 2015, the World Health Organization introduced the Global Action Plan (GAP) on AMR to:  

• raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance,  

• improve data and research through surveillance,  

• prevent infections via water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and infection control, 

• promote responsible use of antibiotics and other antimicrobials, and 

• drive investment in new antibiotics, diagnostics, and vaccines. 

As of November 2023, 178 countries had developed AMR national action plans aligned with the GAP. 

Do vaccines help prevent AMR? 

Yes. Vaccines prevent disease, which therefore reduces antibiotic use. This lowers the chances for resistant bacteria to develop and spread. By preventing illness in both individuals and in communities, vaccines help slow the rise of antimicrobial resistance.