A world-first vaccine for gonorrhoea is being rolled out in England after the number of cases hit record highs.
The number of people being diagnosed with the sexually transmitted infection (STI) reached more than 85,000 in 2023, which is the highest since records began in 1918.
Described as a ‘landmark moment for sexual health’, the rollout comes as some strains of the STI are becoming resistant to antibiotics.
Gonorrhoea is the second most common bacterial STI in the UK – with chlamydia in the top spot – but many people with the infection do not show any symptoms.
Richard Angell, chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, described the jab as a ‘game changer’, adding that ‘this alone could cut 40% of new gonorrhoea cases’.
Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England, said: ‘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.
‘NHS teams across the country are now working hard to plan the rollout and ensure we hit the ground running, while the routine mpox vaccination programme builds on the vital progress the NHS has made in recent months in reaching as many eligible people as possible.’
Here’s everything we know so far about the vaccine rollout.
What is the new gonorrhoea vaccine?
The vaccine is an existing jab, known as 4CMenB, that is currently used to protect people against the meningococcal B disease, a serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and sepsis.
It is used in the routine childhood programme and given to babies at eight weeks, 16 weeks and one year.
The jab contains proteins from neisseria meningitidis – the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease – which is closely genetically related with neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria that causes gonorrhoea.
Studies suggest the 4CMenB vaccine has between 32.7 to 42% effectiveness against gonorrhoea, and would not eliminate the risk of infection completely.
However, previous gonorrhoea infection is thought to offer little protection against future infections, meaning the vaccine would still be beneficial.
When will the gonorrhoea vaccine be rolled out?
Eligible patients will be identified and contacted in the coming weeks, with the jab offered through local sexual health services from August 1.
While at the appointment, patients will also be offered jabs for mpox, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis A and B.
Who will be eligible for the vaccine?
Gay and bisexual men with a recent history of multiple sexual partners or a bacterial STI will be eligible under the new programme.
According to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), gonorrhoea disproportionately impacts specific communities, such as deprived areas, people of black Caribbean ethnicity, and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.
Diagnoses are highest among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, the JCVI said.
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows there was a 9.4% increase in gonorrhoea diagnoses among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in 2023, with cases rising from 37,095 to 40,586.
What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?
Symptoms can include green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating and pain and discomfort in the rectum.
For women, symptoms can include lower abdominal pain or bleeding between periods, and men can also experience sore testicles.
However, many people do not have symptoms.
Gonorrhoea is spread through vaginal fluid and semen, and can pass from person to person by having unprotected sex.
People who suspect they may have gonorrhoea but aren’t showing symptoms can order a self-test kit from sexual health clinics and some pharmacies.
How is gonorrhoea becoming resistant to antibiotics?
Cases of gonorrhoea that are resistant to the antibiotic ceftriaxone – usually the first line of treatment – are on the rise in England.
This means the bacteria that causes the STI has developed the ability to survive and multiply even when exposed to the antibiotic.
Some cases are also classed as ‘extensively drug resistant’ – or XDR – meaning the infection did not respond to ceftriaxone or the second line of treatment.
In March, UKHSA revealed there were 17 cases of ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea between January 2024 and March 2025.
In the same period there were nine XDR cases reported, compared to five cases between 2022 and 2023.
Dr Sema Mandal, consultant epidemiologist and deputy director at UKHSA, said: ‘This vaccination programme is a hugely welcome intervention at a time when we’re seeing very concerning levels of gonorrhoea, including antibiotic resistant gonorrhoea.
‘Not only will this roll-out 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.’
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