Overview

• The 4CMenB vaccine, originally developed for meningitis B, will be repurposed to address gonorrhoea, with studies showing 32.7–42% effectiveness.
• England reported over 85,000 gonorrhoea cases in 2023, the highest since 1918, with rising antibiotic-resistant strains driving urgency for action.
• The programme will target gay and bisexual men, transgender women, and non-binary individuals assigned male at birth, with discretion for other high-risk groups like sex workers.
• During vaccination appointments, patients will also be offered immunisations for mpox, HPV, and hepatitis A/B as part of a broader sexual health strategy.
• Research suggests the vaccine could prevent 100,000 cases and save the NHS £8 million over the next decade, marking a significant public health milestone.