In a groundbreaking public health initiative, the National Health Service (NHS) has rolled out the world’s first gonorrhoea vaccination programme, aiming to curb soaring infection rates and combat rising antibiotic resistance.
The programme, launched in England, this week in sexual health clinics nationwide, targets individuals most at risk.
The move comes as England recorded over 85,000 gonorrhoea cases in 2023, the highest number since records began in 1918.
The vaccination uses the 4CMenB vaccine, known commercially as Bexsero®, which was initially developed to protect against meningitis B. However, studies have shown it also offers cross-protection against gonorrhoea, a closely related bacterial infection.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England, described the rollout as a “world-first and a vital step” in controlling the spread of the infection, especially as antibiotic resistance continues to rise.
Research from Imperial College London predicts the vaccine could prevent over 100,000 infections and save the NHS around £8 million in treatment costs over the next decade.
While not fully protective, the vaccine can reduce gonorrhoea risk by up to 40%. Dr Mary Ramsay of the UK Health Security Agency emphasised that even moderate effectiveness could have a “significant public health impact.”
Health authorities plan to assess the programme’s impact before potentially expanding access to other high-risk groups in the future.
