
Sexual health clinics in the United Kingdom today began offering vaccination against gonorrhea to patients at the highest risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Although there is currently no vaccine that specifically targets the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium, the National Health Service (NHS) is now recommending an existing vaccine for meningococcal B disease (4CMenB) to gay and bisexual men who have a recent history of multiple sexual partners and a bacterial STI within the past 12 months. Multiple studies have shown that the 4CMenB vaccine, which protects against four serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis, also provides moderate cross-protection against N gonorrhoeae, with vaccine effectiveness ranging from 30% to 40%.
NHS announced the vaccination program in May, based on a recommendation from the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Researchers at Imperial College London have estimated that vaccinating those at highest risk of gonorrhea with the 4CMenB vaccine could avert more than 100,000 cases and save NHS more than £7.9 million over 10 years.
"This vaccine is already used to protect against Men B and is proven to be effective against gonorrhoea, preventing the spread of infection and reducing the rising rates of antibiotic-resistant strains," Amanda Doyle, NHS national director for primary care and community services, said in an NHS press release.
Surge in gonorrhea cases in the UK
The rollout of the vaccination program comes at a time when gonorrhea infections have been surging in the United Kingdom. The 85,000 gonorrhea cases reported in 2023 were three times the number reported in 2012 and the most since UK officials began tracking gonorrhea cases in 1918.
"Rolling out this world-leading gonorrhoea vaccination programme in sexual health clinics in England represents a major breakthrough in preventing an infection that has reached record levels," said UK Minister for Public Health and Prevention Ashley Dalton. "I strongly encourage anyone who is eligible to come forward for vaccination, to protect not only yourselves but also your sexual partners."