World’s first Gonorrhoea vaccine programme rolled out amid rising infections

In a historic move to combat one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the National Health Service (NHS) has launched the world’s first gonorrhoea vaccination programme in England, targeting individuals most at risk of infection.

The programme began rolling out in sexual health clinics across the country this week, marking a major milestone in global sexual health. It uses the 4CMenB vaccine (commercially known as Bexsero®), which was originally developed to protect against meningitis B but has shown cross-protection against gonorrhoea—a related bacterial infection.

According to health authorities, the vaccine will initially be offered to gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who have had multiple sexual partners or a bacterial STI in the past year. Other high-risk groups may also be eligible.

The rollout comes in response to record-high gonorrhoea cases in the UK. In 2023, England recorded more than 85,000 cases—triple the number reported a decade earlier, and the highest since records began in 1918.

"This programme is a world-first and a vital step in tackling rising gonorrhoea cases, which are increasingly resistant to antibiotics," said Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England. “Vaccination gives us a new and powerful tool to protect people and reduce transmission.”

Research by Imperial College London suggests that the programme could prevent more than 100,000 infections over the next 10 years and save the NHS an estimated £8 million in treatment costs.

Although the vaccine is not 100% effective, studies have shown it can reduce the risk of gonorrhoea by up to 40%.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “The evidence supporting this programme is strong. Even moderate protection will make a significant public health impact given the scale of infections and growing antibiotic resistance.”

The gonorrhoea vaccination programme is part of a broader NHS and UK government push toward preventive healthcare, as outlined in its “Plan for Change.” During vaccine appointments, eligible individuals may also be offered vaccinations for mpox, HPV, hepatitis A and B.

The programme will be expanded nationally by September 2025, with sexual health clinics playing a central role in identifying and reaching eligible patients.

The UK is the first country in the world to implement a national gonorrhoea vaccination strategy, with health experts around the world watching closely. Given the rapid rise of antibiotic-resistant strains of the infection, many see this move as both timely and essential.

“We are setting the standard in global STI prevention,” said Steve Russell, NHS National Director for Vaccination and Screening. “We hope other countries will follow suit.”

For now, the NHS is urging eligible individuals to contact their local sexual health clinic to find out if they qualify for the vaccine.