By Dayo Ade Olusola | 4 August 2025
A groundbreaking NHS vaccination programme to protect people at high risk of gonorrhoea has launched across England in what officials are calling a “world-first” public health intervention.
Starting today, sexual health clinics will begin offering the free 4CMenB vaccine — originally developed for meningitis B — to groups most vulnerable to the sexually transmitted infection (STI), including gay and bisexual men with a recent history of multiple sexual partners and a prior bacterial STI in the past year.
Health experts say the rollout could prevent up to 100,000 cases of gonorrhoea and significantly reduce the burden on NHS sexual health services.
The move comes amid growing concern over the rise of “super gonorrhoea,” a strain of the infection that has shown resistance to existing antibiotic treatments and is becoming increasingly common in the UK.
Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton hailed the programme as a crucial step forward. “Rolling out this world-leading gonorrhoea vaccination programme in sexual health clinics in England represents a major breakthrough in preventing an infection that has reached record levels,” she said.
“I strongly encourage anyone who is eligible to come forward for vaccination — to protect not only yourselves, but also your sexual partners.”
The vaccine rollout arrives at a critical moment for the UK, where gonorrhoea diagnoses have reached historic highs. In 2023 alone, over 85,000 cases were recorded in England — more than triple the number reported in 2012.
Gonorrhoea, caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria, is the second most common STI in the UK. It can infect the genitals, throat and rectum and is transmitted through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Symptoms can include unusual discharge, pain during urination, itching, bleeding, or soreness — although many cases are asymptomatic.
If left untreated, gonorrhoea can cause long-term health complications including infertility in both men and women. Infected mothers can also pass the infection to newborns, risking serious outcomes including blindness.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has described the vaccine initiative as a major tool in addressing the STI crisis and the growing resistance to traditional treatments.
Dr Sema Mandal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “This rollout is hugely welcome as we’re currently seeing very concerning numbers of gonorrhoea, including even more worryingly antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea.”
“The vaccine will give much-needed protection to those that need it most – making the UK a world leader in the fight against gonorrhoea.”
She urged people in eligible groups not to delay. “Sexually transmitted infections aren’t just an inconvenience – they can have a major impact on your health and your sexual partners,” she added. “If offered, I strongly urge you to get these jabs. Don’t put it off and regret it later.”
The initiative is expected to save the NHS more than £7.9 million over the next 10 years through prevented infections and reduced treatment costs.
Earlier this year, health authorities approved a new oral treatment aimed at tackling the drug-resistant form of gonorrhoea, amid fears the STI could become untreatable with current antibiotics.
Health officials continue to encourage regular testing, particularly among sexually active individuals in higher-risk groups, as many cases begin without symptoms.
What is Gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. It is primarily spread through unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex with an infected partner. Many people may not show symptoms, making regular testing important. If untreated, it can lead to serious health complications, including infertility and, in rare cases, blindness in newborns infected during childbirth.
