Online Reporter
A vaccine programme for gonorrhoea will be rolled out across England from August amid a record number of cases and increasing antibiotic-resistant strains of the bacteria, officials have announced.
The move, hailed as a landmark moment for sexual health, will aim to tackle rising levels of the sexually transmitted infection (STI).
It comes after the number of gonorrhoea cases in England topped 85 000 in 2023, the highest since records began in 1918, with warnings over some strains being resistant to antibiotics.
The vaccine is an existing jab, known as 4CMenB, that is currently used to protect people against the meningococcal B disease, a serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and sepsis.
It is used in the routine childhood programme and given to babies at eight weeks, 16 weeks and one year.
Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England said: “The launch of a world-first routine vaccination for gonorrhoea is a huge step forward for sexual health and will be crucial in protecting individuals, helping to prevent the spread of infection and reduce the rising rates of antibiotic resistance strains of the bacteria.” –Online.
