The National Health Service (NHS) in England has taken a big step by launching the world’s first vaccination programme against gonorrhoea, a common sexually transmitted infection that has become harder to treat.
This move is focused on protecting people who are most at risk of getting infected.
The vaccine being used is called 4CMenB, also known by the brand name Bexsero®, which was originally created to fight meningitis B. However, it has also been found to provide some protection against gonorrhoea, which is caused by a similar type of bacteria.
The programme began this week and is being offered in sexual health clinics across England.
At first, it will target gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, especially those who have had multiple sexual partners or have been treated for bacterial STIs in the past year.
Other high-risk groups may also be able to get the vaccine. This decision comes after the UK saw a sharp rise in gonorrhoea cases. In 2023, more than 85,000 cases were reported in England alone. That number is three times higher than it was ten years ago, making it the highest since 1918.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, the NHS England National Medical Director, said that this programme is a critical response to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance in gonorrhoea.
He explained that vaccines now offer a strong new way to fight the infection and stop it from spreading further.
Research done by Imperial College London shows that the new vaccination programme could prevent over 100,000 infections in the next decade and save the NHS about £8 million in treatment costs.
While the vaccine does not offer full protection, it is believed to reduce the risk of infection by up to 40%.
Dr Mary Ramsay, who leads immunisation efforts at the UK Health Security Agency, said that even though the vaccine is only moderately effective, it can still have a big impact on public health.
This is especially important because gonorrhoea is becoming harder to treat with antibiotics.
The vaccination plan is also part of a larger effort by the NHS and the UK government to shift towards preventing diseases before they occur.
Under this broader health strategy, people who come in for the gonorrhoea vaccine might also be offered vaccines for mpox, HPV, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B.
The NHS plans to expand the programme across the country by September 2025.
Sexual health clinics will continue to play a key role in identifying and reaching people who should get the vaccine.
The UK is the first country in the world to start a nationwide vaccination programme against gonorrhoea.
Health officials in other countries are paying close attention to this initiative, especially as gonorrhoea becomes more resistant to existing drugs.
Steve Russell, the NHS National Director for Vaccination and Screening, said that the UK is leading the way in STI prevention. He expressed hope that other countries would learn from England’s example.
For now, the NHS is encouraging eligible people to contact their local sexual health clinic to check if they can get the vaccine and help stop the spread of gonorrhoea.