England to Launch Gonorrhoea Vaccination Program

England is set to become the first country to implement a vaccination program against the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhoea.

However, this vaccine won’t be available universally. The primary target will be gay and bisexual men who have had multiple sexual partners or a history of STIs.

Currently, the vaccine shows an effectiveness range of 30-40%. Despite this, NHS England is hopeful it will help combat the rising number of infections.

In 2023 alone, there were over 85,000 reported cases, marking the highest levels since records started in 1918.

Symptoms of gonorrhoea can sometimes be absent, but when they do appear, they may include pelvic pain, unusual discharge, genital inflammation, and even infertility.

It remains uncertain how many will opt for the vaccine. But projections from Imperial College London suggest that if uptake is high, it could potentially prevent 100,000 cases and save the NHS approximately £8 million over the next ten years.

Max, a sexual health advocate, expressed his strong support for the vaccine, stating he would “100%” take it after being diagnosed with gonorrhoea twice in one year. “I think this is great that it’s been announced,” he noted, adding that it would alleviate pressure on sexual health clinics—a significant positive move overall.

The vaccination effort is scheduled to kick off in August and will be accessible through sexual health services. Meanwhile, Public Health Scotland is also developing a similar initiative for individuals at high risk.

BBC Newsbeat is reaching out to health authorities in Wales and Northern Ireland to see if they plan to follow suit.

Effectiveness and Considerations

Interestingly, this vaccine was originally designed for meningitis B, which is administered to infants. However, due to the close relationship between the bacteria causing both conditions, the MenB vaccine seems to reduce gonorrhoea cases by about a third.

This will likely initiate some necessary discussions in sexual health clinics, as it should be noted that the vaccine does not completely eliminate the risk of contracting gonorrhoea, which is typically transmitted through unprotected sex.

Prof. Andrew Pollard, chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that recommended the vaccine, emphasized its importance despite the limited effectiveness. He believes it could have a significant overall impact.

The growing challenge with gonorrhoea is its increasing resistance to treatment. Most infections are treated with a single antibiotic dose, but there is a long history of the bacteria adapting and developing resistance. Some medical professionals are concerned that gonorrhoea could eventually become untreatable.

Dr. Amanda Doyle from NHS England remarked on the significance of this new vaccine, asserting that it represents a crucial advancement in averting the spread of infections and combating antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhoea.

The demographic most affected in the UK includes individuals aged 16 to 25, particularly gay and bisexual men, as well as individuals of black and Caribbean descent.

At approximately £8 per dose, the vaccine seems cost-effective, especially when directed at high-risk groups rather than being offered to all teenagers. However, healthcare providers can exercise discretion and may offer the vaccine to other high-risk individuals accessing sexual health services.

Patients will also receive mpox (formerly monkeypox), HPV, and hepatitis vaccinations during the same visit.

Prof. Matt Phillips from the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV called the initiative “excellent news,” noting that it could significantly alter the current high rates of gonorrhoea diagnoses.

Uncertainties remain regarding how long the vaccine’s protection lasts and how often boosters may be necessary. This vaccine rollout follows a long-awaited recommendation from the UK’s JCVI nearly a year and a half ago. While some sexual health advocates criticized the delay, this announcement is nevertheless being hailed as a significant victory in the ongoing battle against gonorrhoea.