Why now? Because gonorrhoea cases have hit an all-time high, with more than 85,000 reported in England in 2023—the highest since records began over a century ago. Even more concerning, some strains of gonorrhoea are becoming resistant to antibiotics, making prevention more crucial than ever.

Starting this week, the vaccine is available at sexual health clinics across England. At first, it is being offered to those most at risk, particularly gay and bisexual men with a history of multiple partners or previous sexually transmitted infections.

And here is a bonus: when patients come in for the gonorrhoea jab, they will also be offered vaccines for mpox, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis A and B all in one appointment.

The vaccine being used, called 4CMenB, was originally designed to protect babies against meningitis B. But scientists discovered that the bacteria causing meningitis B and gonorrhoea are so closely related that this vaccine offers protection against both.

This launch is part of the government’s Plan for Change, focusing on shifting from treating sickness to preventing it. Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton called the rollout a major breakthrough in fighting an infection that has reached record levels.

This world-first vaccination programme will help turn the tide on infections and tackle the growing threat of antibiotic resistance head-on, Dalton said.

This is a game-changer in public health and a hopeful step towards keeping more people safe and healthy in the years to come.

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