England to Launch World-First Gonorrhoea Vaccine
Starting this August, England will become the first country in the world to offer a vaccine against gonorrhoea, aiming to curb the rapid rise in cases and antibiotic-resistant strains. The programme will initially target gay and bisexual men who have had multiple sexual partners or a history of STIs, as they are among the groups most at risk. In 2023, more than 85,000 people were diagnosed with the infection—marking the highest number since records began in 1918.
The jab itself isn’t new—it’s the 4CMenB vaccine, originally developed to protect against meningitis B and currently used in routine childhood immunisations. But because the bacteria that cause meningitis and gonorrhoea are closely related, studies suggest the vaccine offers 30–40% protection against gonorrhoea too. While it’s not a silver bullet, experts believe it could still make a major impact. NHS England says it could prevent up to 100,000 cases and save nearly £8 million over the next decade if widely taken up.
At vaccination appointments, eligible patients will also be offered shots for mpox, HPV, and hepatitis A and B. Health officials acknowledge the jab won’t eliminate the risk of infection—especially without condom use—but say it’s a critical step in tackling a disease that’s growing harder to treat. “This is a huge step forward for sexual health,” said Dr Amanda Doyle of NHS England. The rollout will be handled through local sexual health services, with invitations going out in the coming weeks.
