England Launches World-First Gonorrhoea Vaccine Programme

England will become the first country worldwide to introduce a gonorrhoea vaccine programme, targeting high-risk groups such as gay and bisexual men in response to record infection rates and rising antibiotic resistance. The 4CMenB vaccine, initially developed for meningococcal B disease, has an effectiveness of 32.7% to 42% against gonorrhoea. Over 85,000 cases were diagnosed in 2023, marking the highest annual total since records began. Eligible individuals will be contacted and offered the vaccine through sexual health clinics starting in August, where additional vaccinations for mpox, HPV, and hepatitis A and B will also be available. Projections indicate the programme could prevent up to 100,000 cases and save the NHS nearly £8 million over ten years if uptake is high. Experts stress that while the vaccine is a major advance, it does not provide complete protection, and safe sex practices remain crucial.