England is set to be the first country in the world to introduce a vaccine against gonorrhea, in a move which has been heralded by sexual health campaigners as a significant step.

After chlamydia, gonorrhea is the second most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK, and it’s becoming more widespread: 2023 saw the highest number of cases since records began, with the number in London doubling since 2013. To make matters worse, there has been an increase in cases of antibiotic-resistant cases of gonorrhea, which are significantly harder to treat – taking a daily pill for a couple of weeks isn’t going to cut it. DoxyPEP – a preventative medication which reduces the risk of acquiring some bacterial STIs – is also less effective when it comes to gonorrhea than it is for syphilis and chlamydia.

If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to major complications, including infertility for women, and can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms – if there’s one thing no-one wants emerging from their genitalia, it’s a “pus-like discharge”.

From August 1, the vaccine will be available to people who are at the highest risk of infection. Primarily, this includes include gay and bisexual men (and men who have sex with men), and people of all genders who are in sexual networks with them. The vaccine will also be offered to other individuals who are at higher risk, including people who have recently tested positive for an STI or people who do certain kinds of sex work. For now, the roll-out is limited to England, and it’s not clear whether healthcare providers in Wales and Scotland will follow suit. People can also pay for the vaccine through private providers, including Boots and Superdrug. 

The vaccine, known as MenB, was originally designed to protect people against the bacteria which causes meningococcal disease, but studies have shown that it is between 31 per cent and 59 per cent effective at preventing gonorrhoea. Two doses could provide people with protection for at least three years – some researchers even think it will be effective for as long as a decade. The vaccine has been licensed for use since 2013 in the European Union, and is considered to be very safe. 

“Today’s announcement, along with the announcement of routine targeted mpox vaccination, is a welcome and much needed investment in sexual health. We must now ensure that further resources are employed so that both vaccines reach those who need them but are least likely to visit sexual health services,” Dr Will Nutland, director of sexual health nonprofit The Love Tank, said in a statement.