Am I eligible for the gonorrhoea vaccine and how do I get it?
The NHS has begun the rollout of a vaccine to curb Gonorrhoea cases (Getty)
The NHS has begun the rollout of a vaccine to curb Gonorrhoea cases (Getty)
NHS England has begun the rollout of a new vaccine aimed at curbing cases of gonorrhoea.
The vaccination program is a world-first and could see thousands of people protected from the sexually transmitted infection (STI).
According to NHS England in 2023 diagnoses of gonorrhoea reached 85,000 – the highest levels since records began. The vaccine is also hoped to help against increasing levels of antibiotic-resistant strains of the disease.
The rollout, which began on Monday (4 August) could also save up to £7.9 million over the next decade.
The Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Ashley Dalton, has said the programme “represents a major breakthrough in preventing an infection that has reached record levels.
Here’s everything you need to know about the vaccine.
🆕 World-first gonorrhoea vaccination programme now in sexual health clinics in England to protect thousands
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) August 4, 2025
A free vaccine can be offered to those at highest risk, including gay and bisexual men with a recent history of multiple sexual partners, saving the NHS over £7.9 million. pic.twitter.com/8Nszm7GGcq
What is gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is an STI passed through unprotected sex. Symptoms usually appear within two weeks of infection and can include a burning sensation during urination, discharge from the penis or vagina, and pain in the lower abdomen and groin.
What is the gonorrhoea vaccine?
The vaccine being offered is the existing vaccine for meningococcal disease (4CMenB), which also protects against gonorrhoea.
Who is the vaccine for?
The vaccine is for those most at risk from contracting the STI, which includes gay as well as bisexual men who have a recent history of multiple sexual partners and a bacterial STI in the previous 12 months.
Eligible patients will also be offered vaccines for mpox, hepatitis A and B, and HPV.
Where can I get the gonorrhoea vaccine?
The vaccine is available from sexual health clinics across England. You can find the nearest sexual health clinic here. You can also get information about the symptoms and treatment of gonorrhoea.
Is the vaccine free?
Yes, it’s totally free. The 4CMenB vaccine is expected to be available in sexual health clinics in every region in England by 4 September 2025.
What have the experts said?
Dr Sema Mandal, a consultant epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has welcomed the rollout. “The vaccine will give much-needed protection to those who need it most – making the UK a world leader in the fight against gonorrhoea,” Mandal said.
Meanwhile, Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, added that the rollout is “a real step forward for sexual health and I know health service staff, alongside local authority colleagues, have been working hard to hit the ground running.”
Richard Angell OBE, the Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said, “We asked and the government listened. The roll-out of this vaccine could be a turning point in our fight against rising rates of gonorrhoea. Now we need to make sure that everyone who could benefit from this vaccine knows about it.”
Charlotte Cooke, the Director of Services at LGBT Foundation, also welcomed the programme. She said, “This is an important step forward for LGBTQ+ communities, especially gay, bi and other men who have sex with men, as they are more likely to be impacted.”
