The United Kingdom has began offering vaccination against gonorrhea to patients at the highest risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Although there is currently no vaccine that specifically targets the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium, the National Health Service (NHS) is now recommending an existing vaccine for meningococcal B disease (4CMenB). Although it protects against meningitis multiple studies have shown that the 4CMenB vaccine, also provides moderate cross-protection against gonorrhoeae, with vaccine effectiveness ranging from 30% to 40%. 

The UK announced the vaccination program in May, based on a recommendation from the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Researchers at Imperial College London have estimated that vaccinating those at highest risk of gonorrhea with the 4CMenB vaccine could avert more than 100,000 cases.

The rollout of the vaccination program comes at a time when gonorrhea infections have been surging in the United Kingdom. The 85,000 gonorrhea cases reported in 2023 were three times the number reported in 2012 and the most since UK officials began tracking gonorrhea cases in 1918.

Gonorrhoea is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

At the appointment for the gonorrhoeae vaccine, patients will also be offered jabs for mpox, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis A and B.

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection, caused by bacteria. Sexually transmitted diseases are infections spread mainly by contact with genitals or bodily fluids. Also called STDs, STIs or venereal disease, sexually transmitted infections are caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites.

Gonorrhea bacteria can infect the urethra, rectum, female reproductive tract, mouth, throat or eyes ( if semen or vaginal fluid that contains this bacteria enters the eye, the person may develop conjunctivitis, commonly called “pink eye).

But babies can get the infection during childbirth. In babies, gonorrhea most commonly affects the eyes.

Male symptoms of gonorrhea infection include: Pain or swelling in one testicle, Painful urination and Pus-like discharge from the tip of the penis. On the other hand, women can experience: increased vaginal discharge, Painful urination, Vaginal bleeding between periods, such as after vaginal intercourse and abdominal or pelvic pain.