NHS England Launches World’s First Gonorrhoea Vaccine Amid Rising Infections
England is set to become the first country in the world to roll out a vaccine against gonorrhoea, a common and increasingly resistant sexually transmitted infection (STI).
The vaccination program, launching in August, will primarily target gay and bisexual men who have a history of multiple sexual partners or previous STIs, rather than being offered universally.
The vaccine, originally developed to combat meningitis B, is estimated to reduce gonorrhoea cases by 30-40%.
While not fully protective, NHS England hopes this will help reverse the dramatic rise in infections, which hit a record high of over 85,000 cases in 2023—the highest since record-keeping began in 1918.
Gonorrhoea often shows no symptoms but can cause painful inflammation, unusual discharge, and serious complications such as infertility if untreated.
The infection is mainly spread through unprotected sex, and the vaccine is not a substitute for safer sex practices.
Research from Imperial College London projects that if the vaccine is widely accepted, it could prevent around 100,000 cases and save the NHS nearly £8 million over the next ten years.
Max, a sexual health advocate who contracted gonorrhoea twice in one year, expressed strong support, saying he would “100%” take the vaccine and praised it as a significant step forward for easing pressure on health clinics.
Public Health Scotland and Northern Ireland’s health department are also developing plans to offer the vaccine to high-risk groups, while Wales is considering its approach.
The vaccine’s moderate effectiveness is due to the close relation between the meningitis B and gonorrhoea bacteria.
Despite this, experts emphasize that vaccination remains valuable, especially as gonorrhoea is becoming harder to treat with antibiotics.
The bacteria has a long history of developing drug resistance, raising concerns it could become untreatable.
Dr. Amanda Doyle from NHS England called the launch a “huge step forward” in combating the infection and preventing antibiotic-resistant strains.
The program will focus on groups most affected in the UK—young people aged 16 to 25, gay and bisexual men, and individuals of Black and Caribbean descent.
At about £8 per dose, the vaccine is considered cost-effective when targeted to high-risk populations, though clinicians have discretion to offer it more broadly within sexual health services.
The vaccine will be administered alongside other immunizations like those for mpox, HPV, and hepatitis.
Prof. Matt Phillips, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, called the rollout a “landmark moment” and expressed hope it would help reduce the soaring gonorrhoea rates.
While the duration of protection and need for booster shots remain uncertain, the decision follows a recommendation by the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) over a year ago.
Sexual health advocates, who had criticized the delay, have welcomed the move.
Katie Clark of the Terrence Higgins Trust described the vaccine’s introduction as a “huge win” for public health.
NHS England Launches World’s First Gonorrhoea Vaccine Amid Rising Infections