The United Kingdom has launched a vaccination program aimed at protecting individuals at the highest risk of contracting gonorrhoea. This marks a major public health intervention in response to rising cases of the sexually transmitted infection (STI).
While there is no vaccine developed specifically for gonorrhoea, health authorities have begun using the 4CMenB vaccine, originally designed to protect against meningococcal B disease. Research indicates that this vaccine offers moderate cross-protection against gonorrhoea, with effectiveness estimated between 30% and 40%.
This initiative comes amid a significant surge in gonorrhoea cases. In 2023, the UK recorded 85,000 cases the highest annual figure since records began in 1918 and three times the number reported in 2012. As a result, gonorrhoea is now the second most common bacterial STI in the country.
The vaccination program specifically targets people at the highest risk of contracting STIs, particularly those with multiple sexual partners or who engage in high-risk sexual behaviours. At vaccination appointments, patients will also be offered immunizations for mpox, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis A and B further strengthening protection against various infectious diseases.
Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It spreads primarily through sexual contact involving genitals or bodily fluids. It can infect the urethra, rectum, throat, eyes, and female reproductive tract. Infections in the eyes, including conjunctivitis or “pink eye,” can occur if the bacteria come into contact with the eyes, and babies can acquire the infection during childbirth, most commonly affecting their eyes.
Symptoms in men often include painful urination, pus-like discharge from the penis, and pain or swelling in one testicle. Women may experience increased vaginal discharge, pain during urination, abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods or after intercourse, and lower abdominal or pelvic pain.
The introduction of this vaccination program is a proactive step in STI prevention and management. By targeting those most at risk, the initiative aims to reduce gonorrhoea transmission and prevent complications associated with untreated infections. It also represents a broader commitment to improving public health through innovative and evidence-based approaches.
