How to get the gonorrhoea vaccine as jab rolled out
The NHS has announced it is rolling out a 'world-first' gonorrhoea vaccine programme that will offer protection against the fast-spreading STI to thousands of people.
From today, sexual health clinics will be able to offer the free vaccine, which helps the immune system fight off the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea, to people living in England who are at the highest risk of infection
Earlier this year, it was revealed that cases of the STI had hit their highest point since records began in 1918, with more than 85,000 cases recorded in 2023.
The UKHSA also placed gonorrhoea on a list of infectious diseases with the greatest risk to public health, after recording a small but significant rise in antibiotic-resistant cases of the STI in England.
While sexually transmitted infections aren't typically everyone's favourite topic of conversation, it pays to know your stuff when it comes to gonorrhoea, as leaving it unchecked may lead to more serious health issues.
If you're keen to know more about the vaccine and your risk, we asked a gynaecologist to share all your gonorrhoea need-to-knows, from its symptoms to some of the biggest sexual health myths.
Who is eligible for the gonorrhoea vaccine?
The gonorrhoea jab is being made available for free to those who are at highest risk, including gay and bisexual men who have a recent history of multiple sexual partners and a bacterial STI in the previous 12 months.
The vaccine, which is free via the NHS, will be available in sexual health clinics across England from Monday 4 August.
It's estimated to be between 32.7% to 42% effective against gonorrhoea, which means it won't completely eliminate the risk of getting the disease, but will offer partial protection to sexually active adults.
The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) estimates that the vaccine could prevent up to 100,000 new cases of gonorrhoea and save the NHS more than £7.9m over the next decade.
How is gonorrhoea spread?
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection that's spread through different types of sexual contact, and it can affect just about anyone who is sexually active. "As well as unprotected vaginal sex, you can also catch it from both oral or anal sex with an infected partner," Dr Priyanka Patel, consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology clarifies.
"Condoms can significantly reduce the risk when they're used consistently and correctly, as they protect against STIs like gonorrhoea that spread via discharge."
What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea?
While not everyone with gonorrhoea will have symptoms, it can present itself in a variety of unpleasant ways. "Signs in men include frequent urination, discharge from the penis, swelling or pain in the testicles, plus redness and swelling in the penis," notes Patel. "Look out for a persistent sore throat, too."
Symptoms in women, meanwhile, are more likely to show up as "vaginal discharge, pain or burning while urinating and urinating more frequently," Patel says. "Changes to your monthly bleed, pain during intercourse, abdominal pain, sore throat and fever can also be signs of the STI."
Gonorrhoea can also affect other parts of the body that come into contact with semen or vaginal fluid and can cause pain, itching and discharge from the anus and redness or pain in the eye, according to the NHS.
Is gonorrhoea difficult to treat?
Generally, no. Aside from the recent spate of antibiotic-resistant cases, gonorrhoea can usually be remedied with a short course of antibiotics from your GP or local sexual health clinic.
"If you have symptoms or you're concerned about having an STI, you should visit a sexual health clinic or your doctor to get tested," advises Patel. Most sexual health clinics offer urgent or walk-in appointments, but be mindful of the fact that some infections can take time to show up on sexual health screenings, so you may need to repeat a test if you screen right after having unprotected sex.
If you don't have symptoms but want to check your status for peace of mind, you can use a sexual health test kit and carry out the test in the comfort of your own home. These are available for free from some sexual-health clinics and pharmacies. You can also buy test kits in pharmacies.
If gonorrhoea is left untreated, it can cause complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to infertility, and infections in the testicles or prostate, so it's important to get it treated as soon as possible.
Will the test be invasive and embarrassing?
Usually, the test is very quick and painless. Typically, you'll be asked to provide a urine sample, along with a swab from the part of your body that might be infected. This could be the urethra in men, the cervix in women, the rectum or the throat.
While these swabs are often taken by a healthcare provider, there may also be options to swab yourself. It's worth discussing any discomfort with the clinic beforehand, as staff at specialised sexual health clinics are usually trained to support people with concerns, anxiety or sexual trauma.
"It can often be daunting talking about sex, but healthcare professionals working in sexual health are trained to do this," Patel assures. "Do visit your sexual health service or doctor if you are worried or have questions related to STIs."
How can I avoid catching gonorrhoea in the first place?
With a recent study of UK adults by LloydsPharmacy finding that a third of people don't use any form of contraception, and a further two-thirds (60%) have never had an STI test, it's sensible to take your own sexual wellbeing seriously.
"The best way to protect yourself is by always using a condom during sex with new partners," Patel notes. "Taking an STI check with every new partner is an important step too, particularly if you're not using condoms or think you've been exposed to an STI."
Read more about sexual health:
I'm single and have great sex – this is what I've learnt (Red, 8-min read)
Scientists warn STIs could be deadly by 2040: What is AMR and how does it threaten our health?(Yahoo Life UK, 8-min read)
Non-genital STIs: All the areas of your body they can affect and how to prevent them (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
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