WHO identifies 17 high-risk pathogens in urgent need of new vaccines, prioritizing global health and targeting diseases that heavily impact vulnerable communities.
- Written by: Rida Hijab
- Updated at: Nov 07, 2024 12:32 IST
The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled a pivotal study in eBioMedicine that prioritizes 17 pathogens as the top targets for new vaccine development. This study represents WHO’s first comprehensive, data-driven effort to address the urgent need for vaccines against pathogens that persistently impact global health, particularly in regions with high disease burdens and limited healthcare resources. With this new approach, WHO aims to shift the vaccine research and development (R&D) focus toward saving lives in underserved communities, where diseases often impose severe health and economic burdens.
A Strategic Approach to Prioritizing Vaccine Development
The WHO’s initiative goes beyond traditional motivations for vaccine development, often dominated by financial considerations. Instead, it emphasizes reducing global health inequities by …