England announces world-first gonorrhoea vaccine rollout as STI cases soar to record levels

In a groundbreaking move to tackle rising STI rates, the UK will become the first country to launch a gonorrhoea vaccine UK programme. The rollout, starting 1 August 2025, aims to address record-high infections and growing antibiotic resistance.

The vaccine, known as 4CMenB, is already in use to protect against meningococcal B disease. Though originally developed for a different purpose, research has shown it to be between 32.7% and 42% effective in preventing gonorrhoea. While not a complete shield, health officials say its deployment marks a significant breakthrough for public health.

In 2023, England recorded more than 85,000 gonorrhoea diagnoses—the highest figure since records began in 1918 and nearly triple the numbers seen just over a decade ago. NHS England and the Department of Health have moved quickly, accepting recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to begin offering the jab to those most at risk.

Eligible individuals, including some gay and bisexual men, will be identified and invited for vaccination through local authority sexual health services. Patients attending these appointments may also be offered vaccines for mpox, HPV, and hepatitis A and B.

Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS England’s national director for primary care and community services, hailed the initiative as “a huge step forward for sexual health”. Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton agreed, calling the decision timely. “This programme could not come at a more critical time,” he said. “Gonorrhoea diagnoses are at record levels, and the disease is becoming harder to treat. By targeting those most at risk, we can reduce transmission and prevent thousands of infections.”

Previously, the vaccine was only offered at a limited number of pilot sites in London, Brighton, and Manchester. Its expansion nationwide reflects growing concern about the resurgence of STIs, driven in part by reduced condom use and gaps in sexual health education.

Gonorrhoea, caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium, is the second most common bacterial STI in the UK. It spreads through unprotected vaginal, oral, and anal sex, and can infect various parts of the body, including the genitals, throat, eyes, and rectum. Symptoms often include painful urination, unusual discharge, and pelvic discomfort, but the infection can also be asymptomatic, especially in women, making it easier to transmit unknowingly.

The medical community has welcomed the vaccine rollout as a pivotal moment. Professor Matt Phillips, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH), called it “a landmark moment for sexual health in England”. Richard Angell, chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, praised the development as a “game-changer” in the fight against gonorrhoea.

Estimates from Imperial College London suggest the vaccine could prevent up to 100,000 cases over the next decade and save the NHS nearly £8 million, depending on uptake levels. Experts hope the programme’s success will pave the way for broader STI vaccine research and offer a blueprint for other countries to follow.

Patients eligible for the jab will begin receiving invitations in the coming weeks. The NHS urges those contacted to attend appointments promptly—not just for their own health, but to help curb a growing public health crisis.

THE INDEPENDENT

The NHS will launch a global first: a vaccine to fight rising cases of drug-resistant gonorrhoea in England. Beginning in August, the jab will be offered to gay and bisexual men—those at highest risk—while sex workers and other vulnerable groups can request it. Cases of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea hit record highs in 2024, driven partly by infections contracted abroad. England also saw its highest STI rates since records began, with 85,000 gonorrhoea cases in 2023. The vaccine, 4CMenB, also used against meningococcal B, offers up to 40% protection. Patients may receive it alongside jabs for mpox, HPV, and hepatitis A and B. Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton hailed the rollout as a vital public health breakthrough amid escalating STI rates. Local health services will actively identify and invite eligible people. Experts warn that dating apps, recreational drug use during sex, and lack of contraception are fuelling the STI surge, making vaccination a critical tool in stemming the crisis.

DAILY STAR

England is launching the world’s first gonorrhoea vaccination programme amid a record surge in cases, with over 85,000 diagnoses reported in 2023—the highest since 1918. The NHS will prioritise gay and bisexual men, particularly those with multiple partners or a history of STIs, for the jab. Vulnerable groups, including sex workers and people from marginalised communities, are also eligible. The rise of antibiotic-resistant strains has made the rollout urgent, as resistance to standard treatments like ceftriaxone increases. The vaccine, 4CMenB—already used to protect against meningococcal B disease in infants—offers up to 40% protection against gonorrhoea. NHS England’s Dr Amanda Doyle called the move a “massive leap forward” for sexual health, while the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation highlighted its potential to reduce health inequalities, as groups such as Black Caribbean communities and those in poverty are disproportionately affected. Local sexual health services will identify eligible individuals and offer other vaccines simultaneously, including for HPV and hepatitis.

BBC

England has become the first country in the world to launch a gonorrhoea vaccination programme, aimed at curbing record-high STI rates and growing antibiotic resistance. The NHS will begin offering the jab, which is 30–40% effective, from August 2025 through sexual health clinics, prioritising gay and bisexual men with multiple partners or a history of STIs. The vaccine, originally designed for meningitis B, has shown potential to reduce gonorrhoea infections by a third due to the similarity between the two bacteria. With over 85,000 gonorrhoea cases recorded in 2023, NHS England hopes the rollout will ease pressure on clinics and slow the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Experts at Imperial College estimate it could prevent 100,000 cases and save the NHS £8m over a decade. The programme is seen as cost-effective, with doses priced at around £8. Patients may also receive HPV, hepatitis, and mpox vaccines. Scotland is planning a similar rollout, while Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to confirm their positions.