Sexual health clinics across England from this week will be offering a free gonorrhoea vaccine for those at high risk of the sexually transmitted infection.
The vaccination hopes to save the NHS over £7.9m over the next decade, potentially preventing around 100,000 cases of the disease.
Those eligible for the vaccination include gay and bisexual men who have a recent history of multiple sexual partners and a bacterial STI in the previous 12 months.
These patients will also be offered mpox, hepatitis A and B and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations.
Minister for public health and prevention, Ashley Dalton, said: ‘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.
‘This government’s world-first vaccination programme will help turn the tide on infections, as well as tackling head-on the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.
‘I strongly encourage anyone who is eligible to come forward for vaccination, to protect not only yourselves but also your sexual partners.’
There were 85,000 gonorrhoea cases reported in 2023, which was the highest level since records began according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS national director for primary care and community services, added: ‘The roll out of the NHS’ world-first routine vaccination for gonorrhoea from this month is a real step-forward for sexual health and I know health service staff, alongside local authority colleagues, have been working hard to hit the ground running.
‘This vaccine is already used to protect against Men B and is proven to be effective against gonorrhoea, preventing the spread of infection and reducing the rising rates of antibiotic-resistant strains.
‘That is why it is so important that everyone eligible takes up the offer through sexual health services alongside existing jabs for mpox, Hep A & B, and HPV, helping ensure we keep each other safe.’
Last month it was announced that community pharmacies would be offering flu vaccinations to young children for a one season trial this winter.
