England set to be first country to offer gonorrhoea vaccine after cases spiral to record high

England is set to be the first country in the world to introduce a vaccine that can slash the risk of catching gonorrhoea after cases hit a record high. 

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised the government to offer a vaccination programme targeted at those at highest risk. 

It would use of the MenB vaccine, which is used to protect children against meningitis and septicaemia but can also prevent the sexually transmitted infection. 

Gonorrhoea cases have increased by 50 per cent in the past year, with 82,592 people diagnosed in 2022 – the highest since records began in 1918. 

The JCVI said studies show the jab is 32.7 per cent to 42 per cent effective against gonorrhoea, meaning it could ‘prevent many cases’ and is cost-effective. 

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised the government to offer a vaccination programme targeted at those at highest risk. It would use of the MenB vaccine, which is used to protect children against meningitis and septicaemia but can also prevent the sexually transmitted infection

Latest UKHSA data suggests that overall Brits aged between 15 and 24-years-of-age were the most likely to test positive for an STI. Here gonorrhoea diagnoses broken down by age group are shown

UKHSA data shows STIs chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis have enjoyed a post Covid boom with diagnoses sharply rising in 2022. Syphilis diagnoses (purple line) have a separate Y-axis on the right compared to other STIs

It wants the vaccine to be offered to gay men, primarily through sexual health services. 

The experts also today recommended this group are given routine inoculations for mpox — previously known as monkeypox. 

Professor Andrew Pollard, chair of the JCVI, said: ‘Introducing a MenB vaccination programme to prevent gonorrhoea in England would be a world first and should significantly help to reduce levels of gonorrhoea, which are currently at a record high. 

‘In addition, we are advising setting up a routine targeted mpox offer – to prevent a repeat of the large outbreak we saw in early 2022. 

‘Both vaccinations should be offered to those at highest risk.’ 

The advice will now be considered by Department for Health and Social Care ministers before any policy decisions are made on any new programmes. 

Should the advice be accepted operational detail of how the vaccine will be delivered will follow. 

Katy Sinka, head of sexually transmitted infections at the UK Health Security Agency, said: ‘A vaccination programme to impact on gonorrhoea cases would be a hugely welcome intervention to ensure we are better prepared to address this increasing threat. 

‘We saw a rapid rise last year with more cases than ever before and with gonorrhoea becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, tackling this infection is a serious concern. 

‘And while mpox case numbers across England remain very low, we should not be complacent. 

‘Any routine vaccination offer to those at highest risk of infection will help ensure we remain on top of the disease and prevent any major future outbreaks.’