The English NHS has unveiled a revolutionary new vaccination programme to shield vulnerable groups from gonorrhoea — the first of its type anywhere globally.
The development follows the fact that England had a record high of gonorrhoea infections in 2023, reports AFP.
Amanda Doyle, the NHS England National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, called the programme “a major leap forward for sexual health” and highlighted its importance in the battle against the creation of antibiotic-resistant types of the infection.
The Vaccine
The vaccine used — 4CMenB — is usually administered to infants to provide immunity against meningitis B. In the UK, it is part of the routine childhood immunisation programme and is given at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and one year of age.
Vaccine will first be administered to those at greatest risk — gay and bisexual men who have numerous sexual partners or a past history of frequent bacterial STIs. Eligible individuals can also be provided with additional vaccinations against mpox (formerly monkeypox), HPV, and hepatitis A and B during sexual health visits.
More than 85,000 cases of gonorrhoea were diagnosed in England in 2023 — the record high annual number. Experts say that the increase is all but explained by antibiotic resistance.
Terrence Higgins Trust Chief Executive Richard Angell has been a vocal advocate for the initiative and has stated that the new programme might reduce new gonorrhoea infections by up to 40%.
