Thousands of gonorrhoea cases could be prevented over the next decade thanks to the NHS’ world-first vaccination programme against the infection.
Eligible patients, which includes gay and bisexual men who have a recent history of multiple sexual partners or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), will start to be offered the vaccine through local authority-commissioned sexual health services from early August.
It comes after the government accepted the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI) advice for an NHS roll out of the vaccine amid a record high 85,000 gonorrhoea diagnoses in England in 2023 – 3 times higher than in 2012.
People who receive the jab – an existing vaccine for meningococcal B disease, 4CMenB – could be protected from gonorrhoea by up to 40% and help tackle the increasing levels of antibiotic resistant strains of the disease, according to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) research. UKHSA is supporting NHS England with the programme’s rollout.
Analysis led by Imperial College Londonhas suggested the vaccine known as 4CMenB could avert up to 100,000 cases of gonorrhoea and save the NHS over £7.9 million over the next decade, if high uptake is achieved and an ongoing programme is confirmed.
Local providers will identify and contact those eligible through sexual health services, with vaccinations starting from early August.
Eligible people will also be offered mpox, hepatitis A and B and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations when attending their appointment for the gonorrhoea vaccine.
NHS England’s National Director for Primary Care and Community Services Dr Amanda Doyle said: “The launch of a world-first routine vaccination for gonorrhoea is a huge step forward for sexual health and will be crucial in protecting individuals, helping to prevent the spread of infection and reduce the rising rates of antibiotic resistant strains of the bacteria.
“NHS teams across the country are now working hard to plan the rollout and ensure we hit the ground running, while the routine mpox vaccination programme builds on the vital progress the NHS has made in recent months in reaching as many eligible people as possible.
“Vaccination is so important in helping to keep each other safe, so I would urge anyone eligible to take up the offer later this year when NHS staff start delivering these vaccines”.
Gonorrhoea is an STI passed on through sex and if not treated, can cause serious health problems such as and infections in the eyes, testicles or prostate.
It is the second most commonly diagnosed STI in England, but not everyone gets symptoms of gonorrhoea. Symptoms include a burning pain when you pee, fluid or discharge coming out of your genitals, and pain in your testicles or lower abdomen.
Symptoms usually start around 2 weeks after infection, but an infected person may have no symptoms and can still transmit the infection.
Using a condom every time you have sex with new or casual partners is the best way to protect you and your partner from gonorrhoea and other STIs.
