NIHR Global Health Research Group on Vaccines to Control Respiratory Pathogens and AMR across Africa (VacAMR)

AMR-attributable deaths (~1.3 million/yr) are mostly due to respiratory infection (LRI). Annually there are >2 million lower respiratory infection (LRI) deaths globally, most commonly in sub- Saharan Africa (SSA). Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn), then RSV & Hib are the leading causes of LRI deaths among under-5 children. AMR Klebsiella pneumoniae is a leading cause of pneumonia & sepsis in newborns & vulnerable adults. Influenza virus, RSV & Spn infections are major drivers of antimicrobial use & therefore AMR. Deaths due to AMR respiratory pathogens are vaccine preventable. We therefore propose to improve AMR control by focusing on preventing disease syndromes (e.g. fever & pneumonia), as part of a multimodal approach that includes vaccine and non-vaccine interventions. Building on previous NIHR-funded success, we will tackle AMR through new strategic South-South partnerships between KEMRI-Wellcome, Kenya, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences), Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, & Nigerian Institute of Medical Research Overall Aim: Africa-led transformation of the public health approach to controlling respiratory pathogens & AMR through vaccine & non-vaccine-based multimodal interventions.