WHO Identifies 17 Pathogens as Top Priorities for New Vaccine Development in Global Study

The analysis reconfirms urgent vaccine research needs for high-burden diseases such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis—diseases responsible for approximately 2.5 million deaths annually.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a groundbreaking study in eBioMedicine that names 17 pathogens, including HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, as top global priorities for new vaccine development. This study, the first global initiative of its kind, systematically ranks endemic pathogens based on disease burden, antimicrobial resistance risk, and socioeconomic impact.

The analysis reconfirms urgent vaccine research needs for high-burden diseases such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis—diseases responsible for approximately 2.5 million deaths annually. It also highlights new priority pathogens, like Group A streptococcus and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which are increasingly resistant to antimicrobials and pose a growing health threat across all regions.

"Global decisions on vaccine development have historically centred on financial returns rather than the number of lives that could be saved in at-risk communities," said Dr Kate O'Brien, Director of WHO's Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals Department. "This study, by drawing on regional data and expertise, pinpoints vaccines that could have significant public health impact by reducing disease and financial burdens on families and healthcare systems."

WHO's Methodology and Criteria for Prioritization

WHO collaborated with international and regional experts to identify factors critical to vaccine prioritization, including impact on public health, existing disease burden, and specific regional needs. By evaluating these criteria, the WHO produced a top 10 priority list of pathogens for each region, then merged these lists to form a global list of 17 pathogens needing vaccine research and development (R&D).

This list, a key part of WHO's Immunization Agenda 2030, aims to promote equitable access to vaccines for high-burden diseases across all regions. The new priorities provide clear guidance to academics, funders, and vaccine manufacturers, directing resources toward vaccine R&D with the potential for maximum health and socioeconomic benefits.

Priority Pathogens and Vaccine Development Status

The WHO categorizes vaccine development needs across three main stages:

• Pathogens where vaccine research is needed: including Group A streptococcus, Hepatitis C virus, and HIV-1.
• Pathogens where vaccines need further development: such as Cytomegalovirus, influenza (broadly protective vaccine), and Plasmodium falciparum (malaria).
• Pathogens with vaccines nearing regulatory approval: including the Dengue virus, Group B streptococcus, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Complementing Pandemic Preparedness

This effort complements the WHO's R&D Blueprint for Epidemics, which prioritizes pathogens with the potential to cause pandemics, like COVID-19 and SARS. Together, these WHO strategies aim to advance vaccine R&D both for endemic diseases causing daily health burdens and for diseases posing future epidemic risks.

Global Vaccine R&D Agenda

The WHO's new list of endemic pathogens is a strategic milestone, aligning with WHO's ongoing commitment to identifying vaccine priorities that address the health needs of low- and middle-income countries. By advancing vaccines for pathogens with significant public health impacts, WHO aims to equip communities worldwide with improved tools for disease prevention and control, ultimately creating a healthier and more resilient world.