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The Star
6 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Britain launches world's first gonorrhoea vaccination programme
The resurgence of gonorrhoea in Britain has prompted the government there to start the world's first vaccination programme against the STD. — AFP Health authorities in England announced on May 21 (2025) the rollout of a world-first vaccine programme for gonorrhoea, amid record levels of the sexually-transmitted disease (STD). Gonorrhoea cases in England in 2023 topped 85,000 – the highest number since records began in 1918 – with doctors warning of rising levels of antibiotic resistance. Chief executive Richard Angell of the Terrence Higgins Trust, Britain's leading HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and sexual health charity, hailed the initiative as a 'game changer'. 'This alone could cut 40% of new gonorrhoea cases,' he said. National Health Service (NHS) England's primary and community care director Dr Amanda Doyle said it would be the world's 'first' routine vaccination programme for the disease. She described it as a 'huge step forward for sexual health', adding that it would also help 're- duce the rising rates of antibiotic resistance strains of the bacteria'. The programme deploys an existing jab normally used to protect children against the meningococcal B disease, a serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and sepsis. Known as 4CMenB, it is part of the routine British childhood vaccination programme given to babies at eight weeks, 16 weeks and one year of age. Under the new programme, the jabs will be offered to those considered most at risk: gay and bisexual men with a recent history of multiple sexual partners or a bacterial sexually-transmitted infection. 'This vaccination programme is a hugely welcome intervention at a time when we're seeing very concerning levels of gonorrhoea, including antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea,' said NHS consultant epidemiologist Dr Sema Mandal. 'In 2023, we saw gonorrhoea diagnoses reach their highest since records began in 1918,' added the deputy director of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). During appointments, patients will also be offered jabs for mpox, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis A and B. For decades, gonorrhoea, nicknamed 'the clap', along with syphilis, have been regarded as Victorian-era diseases largely eradicated due to modern diagnosis and medicine. Like gonorrhoea, however, the number of syphilis cases has also seen a resurgence in Britain. In 2023, 9,513 cases were reported, a more than 9% increase on the previous year and the highest number since 1948, according to UKHSA statistics. – AFP
Eyewitness News
26-05-2025
- Health
- Eyewitness News
England to launch 'world first' gonorrhoea vaccination programme
LONDON - Health authorities in England on Wednesday announced the rollout of a world-first vaccine programme for gonorrhoea, amid record levels of the sexually transmitted disease. Gonorrhoea cases in England in 2023 topped 85,000, the highest number since records began in 1918, with doctors warning of rising levels of antibiotic resistance. Richard Angell, chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK's leading HIV and sexual health charity, hailed the initiative as a "game changer". "This alone could cut 40% of new gonorrhoea cases," he said. State-funded National Health Service (NHS) chief Amanda Doyle said it would be the world's "first" routine vaccination programme for the disease. The NHS director of primary and community care described it as a "huge step forward for sexual health", adding that it would also help "reduce the rising rates of antibiotic-resistant strains of the bacteria". The programme deploys an existing jab normally used to protect children against the meningococcal B disease, a serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and sepsis. Known as 4CMenB, it is part of the routine childhood vaccination programme given to babies at eight weeks, 16 weeks and one year. Under the new programme, the jabs will be offered to those considered most at risk -- gay and bisexual men with a recent history of multiple sexual partners or a bacterial sexually transmitted infection. "This vaccination programme is a hugely welcome intervention at a time when we're seeing very concerning levels of gonorrhoea, including antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea," said NHS consultant epidemiologist Sema Mandal. "In 2023, we saw gonorrhoea diagnoses reach their highest since records began in 1918," added the deputy director of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). During appointments, patients will also be offered jabs for mpox, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis A and B. For decades, Gonorrhoea, nicknamed "the clap", along with syphilis, have been regarded as Victorian-era diseases largely eradicated due to modern diagnosis and medicine. Like gonorrhoea, however, the number of syphilis cases has also seen a resurgence. In 2023, 9,513 cases were reported, a more than 9% increase on the previous year and the highest number since 1948, according to UKHSA statistics.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
England to launch 'world first' gonorrhoea vaccination programme
London: Health authorities in England on Wednesday announced the rollout of a world first vaccine programme for gonorrhoea, amid record levels of the sexually transmitted disease. Gonorrhoea cases in England in 2023 topped 85,000, the highest number since records began in 1918, with doctors warning of rising levels of antibiotic resistance. Richard Angell, chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust , the UK's leading HIV and sexual health charity, hailed the initiative as a "game changer". "This alone could cut 40 percent of new gonorrhoea cases," he said. State-funded National Health Service (NHS) chief Amanda Doyle said it would be the world's "first" routine vaccination programme for the disease. The NHS director of primary and community care described it as a "huge step forward for sexual health", adding that it would also help "reduce the rising rates of antibiotic resistance strains of the bacteria". The programme deploys an existing jab normally used to protect children against the meningococcal B disease, a serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and sepsis. Known as 4CMenB, it is part of the routine childhood vaccination programme given to babies at eight weeks, 16 weeks and one year. Under the new programme, the jabs will be offered to those considered most at risk -- gay and bisexual men with a recent history of multiple sexual partners or a bacterial sexually transmitted infection. "This vaccination programme is a hugely welcome intervention at a time when we're seeing very concerning levels of gonorrhoea, including antibiotic resistant gonorrhoea," said NHS consultant epidemiologist Sema Mandal. "In 2023 we saw gonorrhoea diagnoses reach their highest since records began in 1918," added the deputy director of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). During appointments, patients will also be offered jabs for mpox, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis A and B. For decades, Gonorrhoea, nicknamed "the clap", along with syphilis, have been regarded as Victorian-era diseases largely eradicated due to modern diagnosis and medicine. Like gonorrhoea, however, the number of syphilis cases has also seen a resurgence. In 2023, 9,513 cases were reported, a more than nine percent increase on the previous year and the highest number since 1948, according to UKHSA statistics.
Metro
21-05-2025
- Health
- Metro
Everything we know so far about the new world-first gonorrhoea vaccine
A world-first vaccine for gonorrhoea is being rolled out in England after the number of cases hit record highs. The number of people being diagnosed with the sexually transmitted infection (STI) reached more than 85,000 in 2023, which is the highest since records began in 1918. Described as a 'landmark moment for sexual health', the rollout comes as some strains of the STI are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Gonorrhoea is the second most common bacterial STI in the UK – with chlamydia in the top spot – but many people with the infection do not show any symptoms. Richard Angell, chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, described the jab as a 'game changer', adding that 'this alone could cut 40% of new gonorrhoea cases'. Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England, said: 'The launch of a world-first routine vaccination for gonorrhoea is a huge step forward for sexual health and will be crucial in protecting individuals, helping to prevent the spread of infection and reduce the rising rates of antibiotic resistance strains of the bacteria. 'NHS teams across the country are now working hard to plan the rollout and ensure we hit the ground running, while the routine mpox vaccination programme builds on the vital progress the NHS has made in recent months in reaching as many eligible people as possible.' Here's everything we know so far about the vaccine rollout. The vaccine is an existing jab, known as 4CMenB, that is currently used to protect people against the meningococcal B disease, a serious bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and sepsis. It is used in the routine childhood programme and given to babies at eight weeks, 16 weeks and one year. The jab contains proteins from neisseria meningitidis – the bacteria that causes meningococcal disease – which is closely genetically related with neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria that causes gonorrhoea. Studies suggest the 4CMenB vaccine has between 32.7 to 42% effectiveness against gonorrhoea, and would not eliminate the risk of infection completely. However, previous gonorrhoea infection is thought to offer little protection against future infections, meaning the vaccine would still be beneficial. Eligible patients will be identified and contacted in the coming weeks, with the jab offered through local sexual health services from August 1. While at the appointment, patients will also be offered jabs for mpox, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis A and B. Gay and bisexual men with a recent history of multiple sexual partners or a bacterial STI will be eligible under the new programme. According to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), gonorrhoea disproportionately impacts specific communities, such as deprived areas, people of black Caribbean ethnicity, and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Diagnoses are highest among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, the JCVI said. UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows there was a 9.4% increase in gonorrhoea diagnoses among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in 2023, with cases rising from 37,095 to 40,586. Symptoms can include green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating and pain and discomfort in the rectum. For women, symptoms can include lower abdominal pain or bleeding between periods, and men can also experience sore testicles. However, many people do not have symptoms. Gonorrhoea is spread through vaginal fluid and semen, and can pass from person to person by having unprotected sex. People who suspect they may have gonorrhoea but aren't showing symptoms can order a self-test kit from sexual health clinics and some pharmacies. Cases of gonorrhoea that are resistant to the antibiotic ceftriaxone – usually the first line of treatment – are on the rise in England. This means the bacteria that causes the STI has developed the ability to survive and multiply even when exposed to the antibiotic. Some cases are also classed as 'extensively drug resistant' – or XDR – meaning the infection did not respond to ceftriaxone or the second line of treatment. More Trending In March, UKHSA revealed there were 17 cases of ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea between January 2024 and March 2025. In the same period there were nine XDR cases reported, compared to five cases between 2022 and 2023. Dr Sema Mandal, consultant epidemiologist and deputy director at UKHSA, said: 'This vaccination programme is a hugely welcome intervention at a time when we're seeing very concerning levels of gonorrhoea, including antibiotic resistant gonorrhoea. 'Not only will this roll-out provide much needed protection to those that need it most, but it will make the UK the first country in the world to offer this protection and a world leader in protecting people against gonorrhoea.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Urgent recall issued for popular ice cream brand over plastic contamination fears MORE: The dangerous new social media trend that could leave children needing a stoma MORE: TV doctor wages war against deadly 'fake food' saying milkshake tax is nowhere near enough
The Independent
29-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Warning cuts to STI clinics will make target to end HIV in England by 2030 ‘impossible'
Cuts to sexual health clinics could make eliminating new HIV cases in England by 2030 'impossible', politicians have warned. A report on HIV services in the capital by the London Assembly Health Committee showed there were 6,008 new case in England in 2023 – almost double the amount in 2019, when 3,859 people were diagnosed. Although much of the increase can be attributed to new testing in emergency departments, the figures show that even when these are excluded there has still been an increase over that period. Before that time, new cases had been falling. Labour's Krupesh Hirani, chair of the committee, told The Independent it would be 'impossible' to hit the 2030 targets if public health budgets, that support testing and public outreach programs to target at-risk groups, aren't protected and continue to be cut. He said: 'The importance of testing with HIV is well documented and well evidenced and the obvious outcome and benefit of testing is to make sure we identify people who may be living with HIV but also it will help if people know what their status is in terms of what action they can take.' Richard Angell, chief executive of the charity Terrence Higgins Trust, which supports those with HIV, said: 'The committee's findings are clear: we are not currently on track to end new HIV cases in London - or in fact anywhere in the UK. 'Years of real-terms cuts to public health has meant long waiting lists to access pre-pxposure prophylaxis (the treatment drug PrEP) in many places and intense pressure on sexual health services.' In their report, assembly members urged London Mayor Sadiq Khan to write to the health secretary, Wes Streeting to request an increase in the public health grant to 2015 levels in real terms by 2029. They also asked the mayor to request funding for HIV testing be provided in other healthcare settings, such as GP surgeries. Another key recommendation was that PrEP medication is made available in pharmacies - a move that would need to be agreed by the Department for Health and Social Care. Kat Smithson, chief executive for the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV told the committee: 'When you look at the situation with sexual health and you consider that you cannot completely separate sexual health and HIV, and you look at rising STIs and you look at the pressure on sexual health services, I think it is impossible to say that we are on track to reach 2030.' A separate target to reduce new HIV infections in England by 80 per cent by 2025 is also 'unlikely', Alison Brown, a consultant scientist at the UK Health Security Agency, told the committee. Joes Mejia, 39, who was diagnosed in Colombia in 2008 and moved to the UK and now works as London HIV Ambassador with the Terrance Higgins Trust told The Independent testing is key. 'A lot of us [living with HIV] probably wouldn't know their status if it weren't because of a testing effort put somewhere. In my case, it was a primary care setting, and to this day, I'm really thankful for that test because if I hadn't had it, I probably wouldn't know my status, I probably wouldn't be alive.' Mr Mejia also warned services that cater to specific communities and their cultures are decreasing due to a lack of funding. 'When I came here at the time there were a couple of services for Latin American communities many of them don't exist anymore, and many of them don't exist anymore not because the community isn't there or the diagnosis rate changed but they don't exist because there is no particular funding for those services.' 'Service used to be way more robust 9-10 years ago; if they are here, they are reduced to the bare minimum. It is the same for black African and Caribbean communities, some services exist, but they are running on the bare minimum.' A spokesperson for the mayor said: 'The current government has committed to commissioning a new HIV action plan, and the mayor looks forward to working closely with ministers to help end HIV cases by 2030, as we build a fairer and healthier London for everyone. The mayor will respond to the Assembly's report in due course.'
