A gonorrhoea vaccine will soon be available in the UK – here’s how it works to protect against the STI

A vaccine for gonorrhoea is set to be introduced by the NHS soon, making England and Wales the first countries to offer such a program globally. The decision follows a significant increase in gonorrhoea cases in England and growing concerns about antibiotic resistance. In 2023, over 85,000 cases of gonorrhoea were reported in England, marking a 234% rise compared to 2012. Gonorrhoea, caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium, is the UK’s second most common sexually transmitted infection, transmitted through unprotected sex with an infected individual.

Approximately 10% of men and nearly half of women with gonorrhoea do not show symptoms, making it highly transmissible as asymptomatic individuals may unknowingly spread the infection to their partners. Symptoms of gonorrhoea include abnormal discharge, pain during urination, discomfort in the lower abdomen, and in severe cases, the infection can spread throughout the body, potentially leading to sepsis. Untreated gonorrhoea can result in complications such as infertility in women and epididymitis in men, with the only treatment being antibiotics.

The new vaccine program aims to provide additional protection, especially for high-risk groups, by offering the existing childhood vaccine 4CMenB (Bexsero) on the NHS. This vaccine, used to prevent meningococcal group B disease, shows promise in offering cross-protection against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. While the vaccine can reduce the risk of gonorrhoea infection by 32-42%, it does not guarantee complete immunity. Despite this, the program is expected to significantly reduce the overall number of gonorrhoea cases, particularly important in the face of rising antibiotic resistance. Eligible individuals, including those with multiple sexual partners or a history of sexually transmitted infections, will receive the vaccine starting in early August 2025 through local NHS services. The vaccination campaign is projected to prevent thousands of cases and save millions in healthcare costs over the next decade if uptake is high.