England to be first country to offer vaccine against gonorrhoea

The vaccine will not be available to everyone, but hopes are it will help reverse the soaring number of cases in the country.

What is happening?

England is en route to be the first country in the world to start vaccinating people against gonorrhoea, BBC reports.

Record numbers

In 2023 alone, more than 85,000 cases of gonorrhoea infection was recorded. It is the highest number since recording began in 1918.

Not for everyone

The vaccine, however, will not be offered to everyone, as the NHS will focus on mainly gay and bisexual men with a history of multiple partners or a STD.

Not very effective

NHS England hopes the vaccine will reverse the increase in gonorrhoea infections, even though the vaccine is only 30-40 % effective.

It is uncertain how many people will accept the offer of getting the vaccine.

Designed for meningitis

The vaccine was originally designed for meningitis B, and it is currently being given to babies.

The bacteria causing both diseases are closely related, though, meaning the vaccine appear to be able to cut down the number of gonorrhoea cases.

Resistance evolving

Usually gonorrhoea is traeated with antibiotics, but the bacterium has been shown to be evolving into being resistant to antibiotics.

Worst case scenario is that the bacterium will one day become untraetable.