Vaccination: India's Best Defense Against AMR, The Next Health Crisis

• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat, linked to nearly five million deaths worldwide in 2019.
• India faces a significant burden of drug-resistant infections, driven by antibiotic misuse and easy over-the-counter access.
• Vaccination prevents infections, reducing the need for antibiotics and limiting opportunities for germs to develop resistance.
• WHO report suggests vaccines for 23 pathogens could cut antibiotic use by 22%, saving 2.5 billion daily doses globally.
• Despite proven benefits, adult vaccination uptake in India remains low, hindering the fight against rising AMR.

Why It Matters: Vaccination is a powerful, underappreciated tool to combat AMR by preventing infections and reducing antibiotic overuse.