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A vaccine to prevent gonorrhea will soon be introduced in England and Wales as part of a targeted public health initiative—the first of its kind globally, according to health officials. Described as a “landmark moment for sexual health,” the program aims to address the rising rates of gonorrhea with preventive measures. The vaccine, originally developed to protect against meningococcal B disease, will be offered starting in early August at sexual health clinics commissioned by local authorities. Research has shown that the 4CMenB vaccine, which targets four serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis, also offers moderate cross-protection against Neisseria gonorrhoeae—the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea. Studies estimate vaccine effectiveness against gonorrhea to be between 30% and 40%.
Case counts: The rollout of the vaccine program comes amid a rise in gonorrhea cases in England. For context, the highest recorded rate of gonorrhea in the United States occurred in 1980, with approximately 442 cases per 100,000 people. In comparison, the 2023 rate stood at 179.5 cases per 100,000.