England’s Got A Surprising New Weapon Against Gonorrhoea
England will offer a gonorrhoea vaccine as part of a new national program targeting those most at risk of infection, a move being described as a world-first. With cases of this tricky sexually transmitted infection hitting record numbers, this development is something to keep an eye on.
So Why The Sudden Move?
It’s no secret that gonorrhoea has been causing more than a bit of trouble. In 2023 alone, England saw over 85,000 cases, the highest figures since they started keeping records way back in 1918. What’s more worrying is that some strains are becoming wise to our usual antibiotic treatments. This resistance is a serious headache, making a once straightforward infection much harder to clear up.
As Dr Amanda Doyle from NHS England put it, this new vaccination effort “is a huge step forward for sexual health and will be crucial in protecting individuals, helping to prevent the spread of infection and reducing the rising rates of antibiotic-resistant strains of the bacteria.”
What Is This Vaccine Exactly?
Interestingly, the jab being used isn’t brand new. It’s an existing vaccine called 4CMenB, which is typically given to babies to protect against meningococcal B disease – that’s the nasty bacteria responsible for conditions like meningitis and sepsis. Scientists discovered that the bacteria causing meningococcal disease and the one causing gonorrhoea are closely related genetically.
Studies have suggested the 4CMenB vaccine shows an effectiveness of between 32.7% and 42% against gonorrhoea. While it won’t stop every infection, it could certainly reduce the risk, which is a big plus considering a past gonorrhoea infection doesn’t offer much protection from catching it again.
Getting The Jab: Who, When, And Where
So, how will this all work? NHS England plans to start contacting eligible patients in the coming weeks. The actual vaccine rollout through local authority-commissioned sexual health services is slated to begin on August 1st. When people go for their appointment, they’ll also be offered jabs for mpox, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis A and B, which is a pretty comprehensive approach to sexual wellness.
The concern over treatment-resistant gonorrhoea is very real. Health officials have noted a rise in cases that don’t respond to ceftriaxone, the standard first-choice antibiotic. Some cases are even classed as “extensively drug resistant,” meaning they don’t respond to the second line of treatment either. This makes prevention even more important.
What Can We Learn?
While this rollout is happening in England, it’s a development we’ll be watching closely here at DNA. Could similar programmes be beneficial down under? It certainly opens up the conversation.
The UK Health Security Agency’s Dr Sema Mandal highlighted the initiative’s importance, stating, “Not only will this rollout provide much needed protection to those that need it most, but it will make the UK the first country in the world to offer this protection and a world leader in protecting people against gonorrhoea.” Health Minister Ashley Dalton also encouraged uptake, saying it will “not only keep each other safe but help tackle the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.”
Richard Angell, chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, didn’t mince words, calling the jab a “gamechanger” and noting, “This alone could cut 40% of new gonorrhoea cases.”
It’s a significant step, and while it’s not a silver bullet, it’s a promising new tool in the ongoing effort to manage gonorrhoea and protect our sexual health.
