WHO Report Urges Development of New Vaccines for High-Priority Endemic Pathogens

Published on Thursday November 21, 2024

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a groundbreaking study highlighting the urgent need for new vaccines targeting top endemic pathogens. This comprehensive report, published on November 4, 2024, underscores the crucial role vaccines play in safeguarding public health and outlines the priority pathogens that require immediate attention.

Within the study, WHO meticulously identifies several high-priority pathogens that pose a significant threat to global health. These pathogens, endemic across multiple regions and countries, include diseases that lead to substantial morbidity and mortality rates. The list is a product of meticulous research and collaboration with international health experts who emphasize the necessity for accelerated vaccine development.

WHO Priority endemic pathogens list

Vaccines for these pathogens are at different stages of development.

Pathogens where vaccine research is needed

  • Group A streptococcus
  • Hepatitis C virus
  • HIV-1
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae

 Pathogens where vaccines need to be further developed

  • Cytomegalovirus
  • Influenza virus (broadly protective vaccine)
  • Leishmania species
  • Non-typhoidal Salmonella
  • Norovirus
  • Plasmodium falciparum (malaria)
  • Shigella species
  • Staphylococcus aureus

Pathogens where vaccines are approaching regulatory approval, policy recommendation or introduction

  • Dengue virus
  • Group B streptococcus
  • Extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

The WHO's findings call for a concerted global effort to address these public health challenges. The study underlines the need for innovative research, funding, and international cooperation to develop effective vaccines. By identifying these critical pathogens, the WHO aims to direct global health resources and attention towards preventing future outbreaks and reducing the disease burden in vulnerable populations.

This initiative is part of WHO's broader strategy to strengthen global health security by building resilient health systems capable of responding to endemic and emerging infectious diseases. The report serves as a roadmap for policymakers, researchers, and vaccine developers to prioritize efforts that can save millions of lives worldwide.

Through this strategic focus, WHO envisions a future where new vaccines can halt the spread of these dangerous pathogens, ensuring healthier communities and a more secure global health landscape. The WHO urges governments, the private sector, and civil society to collaborate in pursuit of this goal, emphasizing that timely and targeted action is essential in overcoming the challenges posed by these endemic diseases.

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