Gonorrhoea Vaccine: UK Launches Landmark Jab as Infections Soar to Record High
A historic moment in public health begins today, as the UK rolls out the world’s first gonorrhoea vaccine, with sexual health clinics across England offering the jab free of charge.
It comes as gonorrhoea diagnoses hit a staggering 85,000 in 2023, the highest number since records began in 1918. That’s three times the cases reported just over a decade ago, in 2012.
This latest move by the NHS and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) marks a significant step in tackling both the spiralling infection rates and the looming danger of antibiotic resistance.
Ashley Dalton, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, hailed the rollout as a turning point. “This government’s world-first vaccination programme will help turn the tide on infections, as well as tackling head-on the growing threat of antibiotic resistance,” she stated.
“I strongly encourage anyone eligible to come forward for vaccination, to protect not only yourselves but also your sexual partners.”
The free vaccine will initially be offered to individuals deemed at higher risk. This includes gay and bisexual men who have recently had multiple sexual partners and a previous bacterial STI diagnosis within the last 12 months.
The vaccine itself isn’t entirely new. It’s based on the 4CMenB jab, which is already used to prevent meningococcal B disease. But studies show this vaccine provides moderate cross-protection against gonorrhoea, ranging between 32.7% and 42%.
That might not seem like full coverage, but health experts say it’s still a powerful tool in slowing the spread of the infection and reducing serious complications.
Researchers at Imperial College London estimate the vaccination drive could prevent up to 100,000 gonorrhoea cases over the next ten years. That translates to over £7.9 million in savings for the NHS, a welcome relief for an already stretched health system.
Dr Sema Mandal, consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, underlined the vaccine’s importance in controlling the disease.
“The vaccine will give much-needed protection to those that need it most, making the UK a world leader in the fight against gonorrhoea,” she said.
“Sexually transmitted infections aren’t just an inconvenience, they can have a major impact on your health and your sexual partners, so if offered, I strongly urge you to get these jabs, you’ll be protecting yourself as well as others.
Don’t put it off and regret it later.”
Patients receiving the gonorrhoea vaccine will also be offered other key vaccinations during the same visit, including jabs for mpox, HPV, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B. It’s a comprehensive move aimed at improving overall sexual health outcomes across the country.
This UK-based public health initiative positions England at the forefront of STI prevention, with officials urging eligible individuals to take up the offer and play their part in turning the tide on one of the country’s fastest-growing infections.
The vaccine may not be a silver bullet, but it’s a powerful shot in the right direction.
