There should be a heightened focus on the development of a universal flu vaccine and new antibiotics. These tools should be developed in safe and secure ways that maximize societal benefit while minimizing the potential for misuse.
New, better vaccines and antibiotics are one essential answer to the expansion of resistance, along with strategic planning, better microbial stewardship, more careful antibiotic use, and better basic health systems.
“The reason why so few antibiotics are being developed is simple – the market is broken. In recent months, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have come together to introduce important policies designed to spur the development of new antibiotics. However, to protect the American people from resistant superbugs, bold action is needed from Congress and the Administration to stimulate innovation and produce new antimicrobials that patients and society can count on.”
Jim Greenwood, Biotechnology Innovation Organization
Ending the Cycle of Crisis and Complacency in U.S. Global Health Security – A Report of the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security