UK to Launch Groundbreaking Go Disease Vaccine Program

Officials have revealed that the UK will begin administering a vaccine for go disease as part of an unprecedented initiative. This decision is being celebrated as a significant advancement in sexual health, especially in light of the rising rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs).

In 2023, the UK reported over 85,000 cases of go disease, which is the highest number recorded since 1918. Alarmingly, some strains are showing resistance to antibiotics, raising concerns among health officials.

The vaccine, known as 4cmenB, is already in use for preventing Meningococcal B disease, a severe bacterial infection that can lead to conditions like meningitis and sepsis. It is part of regular childhood vaccination schedules, administered to infants at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and again at 1 year.

Dr. Amanda Doyle, who oversees Primary Care and Community Services for NHS England, mentioned that eligible patients will be identified and contacted shortly. The vaccine will be offered through sexual health services funded by local authorities starting August 1st.

Patients will receive vaccinations for MPOX, human papillomavirus (HPV), as well as JAB for hepatitis A and B at their appointments. Dr. Doyle noted, “NHS teams are tirelessly planning these rollouts to ensure effective implementation. The recent successes of the MPOX vaccination program have laid a solid foundation for reaching eligible individuals.”

Go disease currently ranks as the second most prevalent bacterial infection in the UK. Symptoms can vary widely; they include green or yellow discharge, pain during urination, and discomfort in the rectal area. For women, symptoms might also involve abdominal pain and irregular bleeding, but many may remain asymptomatic.

The JAB vaccine contains components from Neisseria meningitidis, which is genetically related to Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria responsible for go disease. A study by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) indicates that the 4CmenB vaccine is between 32.7% and 42% effective against go disease, reducing the risk of infection, though it doesn’t eliminate it entirely.

JCVI has emphasized that even though previous infections with go disease may not provide lasting immunity, the vaccines still offer substantial benefits.

This new vaccination initiative comes in response to a concerning rise in go disease cases, some of which are resistant to the first-line antibiotic, ceftriaxone. This resistance indicates that these STIs can thrive despite antibiotic treatment.

Some infections are classified as “widely drug resistant,” indicating that they do not respond well to standard treatment protocols. Recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) noted 17 cases of ceftriaxone-resistant go disease reported between January and March 2025, alongside nine XDR cases compared to five in the prior year.

Dr. Sema Mandal, an epidemiologist at UKHSA, remarked on the commitment to providing a broad range of health services. Health Minister Ashley Dalton encouraged individuals to consider getting the vaccine, emphasizing that focusing on high-risk populations could significantly diminish transmission rates of this challenging disease.

Richard Angell, CEO of Terrence Higgins Trust, referred to JAB as a transformative development, suggesting that this alone could potentially cut new cases of go disease by 40%.