The National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom is set to roll out the world’s first vaccination programme targeting gonorrhoea in response to record-high infection rates and rising antibiotic resistance.
In 2023, England recorded over 85,000 cases of gonorrhoea, which was highest since records began. Health officials are particularly concerned about emerging antibiotic-resistant strains, which threaten to make the infection increasingly difficult to treat.
The vaccination programme, beginning August 1, will primarily target gay and bisexual men who have had multiple recent sexual partners or a history of bacterial STIs, as they are considered at higher risk. Transgender women and gender-diverse individuals assigned male at birth will also be included where appropriate.
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According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), there was a 9.4% rise in gonorrhoea cases among gay and bisexual men in 2023, increasing from 37,095 to 40,586.
The vaccine being used is 4CMenB, currently administered to infants in the UK to protect against meningococcal group B disease, a serious infection that can lead to meningitis and sepsis. While originally developed for meningitis, research shows the jab offers some cross-protection against gonorrhoea due to genetic similarities between the two bacteria.
Clinical studies estimate that 4CMenB is between 32.7% and 42% effective against gonorrhoea. While it won’t eliminate the infection, health officials expect the vaccine to reduce overall transmission, particularly among high-risk groups.
Eligible individuals will be contacted and can receive the jab at their local sexual health clinics. During their appointment, they’ll also be offered free vaccines for mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), HPV, and hepatitis A and B.
NHS director lauds programme
The NHS England’s National Director for Primary Care, Dr Amanda Doyle, called the initiative “a huge step forward for sexual health” and said it could help curb the spread of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea.
The vaccine works by targeting proteins found in Neisseria meningitidis, the bacterium responsible for meningococcal disease. This organism is closely related to Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the cause of gonorrhoea.
Richard Angell, chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, described the programme as a “game changer” and said it has the potential to cut new gonorrhoea cases by up to 40%.
The move follows a warning from the UKHSA about the increasing threat of antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhoea. Between January 2024 and March 2025, 17 cases of resistance to ceftriaxone, the first-line treatment, were recorded in England. Additionally, nine cases were classified as extensively drug-resistant (XDR), meaning they showed no response to either first – or second-line antibiotics. This is up from five XDR cases in the previous year.
Dr Sema Mandal, consultant epidemiologist and deputy director at the UKHSA, welcomed the new programme, calling it a timely intervention.
“At a time when we’re seeing very concerning levels of gonorrhoea, including antibiotic-resistant strains, this vaccination programme will offer crucial protection to those at greatest risk,” she said.
“The UK will be the first country in the world to offer this level of protection, making us a global leader in tackling gonorrhoea.”
