The World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed 17 endemic viruses that regularly cause
diseases in communities.
The WHO in the latest study findings published in the Lancet has raised concern that the 17 pathogens should be prioritised for new vaccine development.
This study is the first global effort to systematically prioritise endemic viruses based on criteria that included regional disease burden, antimicrobial resistance risk and socioeconomic impact.
According to WHO, pathogens where vaccine research is needed include Group A streptococcus, Hepatitis C virus, HIV-1 and Klebsiella pneumonia.
Cytomegalovirus, Influenza virus (broadly protective vaccine), Leishmania species, Non-typhoidal Salmonella, Norovirus, Plasmodium falciparum (malaria), Shingella falciparum (malaria), Shigella species and Staphylococcus aureus are viruses whose vaccines need to be further developed.
The global health agency says dengue virus, Group B streptococcus, extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were listed by WHO as viruses whose vaccines are approaching regulatory approval, policy recommendation, or introduction.
“Too often global decisions on new vaccines have been solely driven by return on investment, rather than by the number of lives that could be saved in the most vulnerable communities,” Kate O’Brien said.
O'Brien is the Director of the Immunisation, Vaccines and Biologicals Department at WHO.
“This study uses broad regional expertise and data to assess vaccines that would not only significantly reduce diseases that greatly impact communities today but also reduce the medical costs that families and health systems face,” O'Brien said.
According to the study, vaccine research and development remains focused on major diseases like HIV, malaria and tuberculosis which collectively cause close to 2.5 million deaths yearly.
Viruses such as Group A streptococcus and Klebsiella
pneumoniae are also identified as top disease control priorities in
all regions, highlighting the urgency to develop new vaccines for pathogens
increasingly resistant to antimicrobials.
The WHO says the findings of this new report on endemic pathogens are part of its work to identify and support the research priorities and needs of immunisation programmes in low and middle-income countries.
This will inform the global vaccine research and development agenda, and to strategically advance the development and uptake of priority vaccines, particularly against pathogens that cause the largest public health burden and greatest socioeconomic impact.
