Sexual health clinics are now able to offer a free vaccine to patients at highest risk of the STI, including gay and bisexual men who have a recent history of multiple sexual partners and a bacterial STI in the previous 12 months.
The 4CMenB vaccine will help shield those most at risk of gonorrhoea — potentially averting up to 100,000 cases of the disease, while easing pressure on vital NHS services.
Eligible patients attending clinics for the gonorrhoea vaccine will also be offered mpox, hepatitis A and B and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations, providing comprehensive protection against an array of diseases.
Minister for public health and prevention, Ashley Dalton, said: ‘Rolling out this world-leading gonorrhoea vaccination programme in sexual health clinics in England represents a major breakthrough in preventing an infection that has reached record levels.
‘This government's world-first vaccination programme will help turn the tide on infections, as well as tackling head-on the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.'
The vaccination programme comes at a critical time, with diagnoses of gonorrhoea reaching their highest levels since records began. In 2023, a record 85,000 cases of the disease were reported in England - three times higher than in 2012.
This vaccine is expected to save the NHS more than £7.9m over the next decade. It will also help combat increasing levels of antibiotic-resistant strains of the disease.
The rollout is part of this government's commitment to keep people healthier via an array of prevention and community health initiatives. This includes the DHSC's National HIV Prevention Programme delivered by the Terrence Higgins Trust, which has worked with local activation partners to deliver National HIV Testing Week and the summer campaign for the past four years.
Consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, Dr Sema Mandal, said: ‘This roll out is hugely welcome as we're currently seeing very concerning numbers of gonorrhoea, including even more worryingly antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea. The vaccine will give much-needed protection to those who need it most - making the UK a world leader in the fight against gonorrhoea.
‘And it's excellent to see that at the same time other important vaccines will continue to be offered in sexual health services to those eligible, protecting against mpox, hepatitis A and B, and HPV. Sexually transmitted infections aren't just an inconvenience – they can have a major impact on your health and your sexual partners, so if offered I strongly urge you to get these jabs, you'll be protecting yourself as well as others. Don't put it off and regret it later.'
Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS national director for primary care and community services, added: ‘The roll out of the NHS' world-first routine vaccination for gonorrhoea from this month is a real step-forward for sexual health and I know health service staff, alongside local authority colleagues, have been working hard to hit the ground running.'
