Celebrated annually, the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.
A global action plan to tackle the growing problem of resistance to antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines was endorsed at the Sixty-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2015. One of the key objectives of the plan is to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance through effective communication, education and training.
This year, the theme of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) 2021 is ‘Spread Awareness, Stop Resistance’. The overarching WAAW slogan continues to be ‘Antimicrobials: Handle with Care‘. WAAW is celebrated from 18-24 November every year.
The WAAW 2021 campaign calls on stakeholders, including policymakers, health care providers, and the general public to recognize that everyone can be an Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness champion. Participants are encouraged to spread awareness about what AMR is, share stories about its consequences, and demonstrate how the actions of individuals, families, professionals, and communities affect the spread of AMR.
Here are some ready-made messages for you to share on your social media pages!
- Antibiotics work against bacteria, not viruses! Use antibiotics prudently to stop the rise of #antibioticresistance in the #COVID-19 pandemic
- #COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the value of diagnostics – Using #diagnostics can prevent #AMR from spreading so we should invest efforts in developing them
- Innovative and cost-effective #diagnostics can #StopSuperbugs – we can stop the rise of #antibioticresistance
- Most respiratory tract infections are caused by viruses – #antibiotics are useless in these cases! Innovative and cost-effective #diagnostics can #StopSuperbugs – together, we can stop the rise of #antibioticresistance @IMI_JU #WAAW2021
- The world is running out of antibiotics – Make sure they are used wisely by using #diagnostics. Respiratory tract infections are the most common reason for unnecessary #antibiotic prescription. @IMI_JU #WAAW2021
- #Diagnostics can help guide proper handling of #antibiotics @IMI_JU #WAAW2021
