England is set to be the first country in the world to launch a vaccine targeting gonorrhea, a landmark moment for sexually transmitted infection (STI) treatment.
“The launch of a world-first routine vaccination for gonorrhoea is a huge step forward for sexual health and will be crucial in protecting individuals, helping to prevent the spread of infection and reduce the rising rates of antibiotic resistance strains of the bacteria,” said Dr Amanda Doyle, the national director for primary care and community services at NHS England.
Gonorrhoea is usually transmitted by having sex without a condom. It is the second most prevalent bacterial STI in the UK, following Chlamydia. In 2023, gonorrhoea cases in England reached the highest level since records began, with 85,000 cases recorded.
In London, the diagnostic rate for gonorrhoea doubled from 2013 to 2023, the highest rate of any region in England, according to analysis by The Standard.
The new gonnorrhea vaccine is an existing jab, called 4CMenB, that is used to fight the meningococcal B disease, a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and sepsis. The vaccine is currently given to babies.
It contains proteins from neisseria meningitidis – the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease – and is closely genetically related with neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria that causes gonorrhoea.
“Not only will this rollout provide much needed protection to those that need it most, but it will make the UK the first country in the world to offer this protection and a world leader in protecting people against gonorrhoea,” Dr Sema Mandal, consultant epidemiologist and deputy director at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The breakthrough comes amidst warnings that some strains of gonorrhea in England have developed resistance to ceftriaxone – the antibiotic commonly used as the first line of treatment. Doctors have become concerned that the STI could become untreatable in the future.
In March, UKHSA confirmed that there had been 17 cases of ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea between January 2024 and March 2025.
There were also nine “extensively drug resistant” (XDR) strains cases reported, meaning that they did not respond to ceftriaxone, the second line of treatment. There were five cases reported between 2022 and 2023.
Ashley Dalton, the health minister, has encouraged people to take the vaccine “not only keep each other safe but help tackle the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
By targeting those most at risk, we can reduce transmission rates from this unpleasant disease that is becoming harder to treat and prevent thousands of cases over the next few years.”
How effective is the new vaccine?
Richard Angell, chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said that the new vaccine was a “gamechanger”.
“This alone could cut 40% of new gonorrhoea cases,” he said.
Research conducted by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) indicates that the new vaccine is 32.7% to 42% effective against gonorrhoea. This means that while it will reduce the risk of contracting the STI, it will not eliminate it entirely.
Nevertheless, research conducted by Imperial College London indicates that if the jab is popular, it could prevent 100,000 cases and save the NHS nearly £8m over the next decade.
Symptoms of gonorrhoea
Symptoms in people with vaginas
- Green or yellow vaginal discharge
- Burning pain when urinating
- Lower abdominal pain
- Bleeding between periods
Symptoms in people with penises
- Burning pain when urinating
- Discharge from penis
- Sore testicles
When will the vaccine be available?
Eligible patients will be identified and contacted in the next few weeks. The vaccine will be provided through local authority-commissioned sexual health services starting August 1.
Patients will also be offered jabs for mpox, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis A and B at the appointment.
Public Health Scotland confirmed it was also planning to launch its own programme for high-risk individuals. Northern Ireland's Department of Health is considering it too.
