World's First Gonorrhea Vaccine to Be Administered in England
The introduction of the vaccine aims to combat rising sexually transmitted infections amid record cases in England.
In a significant development for sexual health, England is set to launch the world's first routine vaccination program against gonorrhea, an initiative announced by health officials.
This comes as the country faces a record number of cases, with over 85,000 reported in 2023—the highest since records began in 1918. Health experts have raised alarms regarding antibiotic-resistant strains of the bacteria responsible for the infection.
The vaccine, known as 4CMenB, is currently used to protect against serious bacterial infections such as meningitis and sepsis.
It is already part of the routine vaccination schedule for infants, given at eight weeks, 16 weeks, and one year of age.
Dr. Amanda Doyle, Director of Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, emphasized the importance of this vaccination program, stating that it represents a critical advancement in protecting individuals and curtailing the spread of infection while addressing the increasing rates of antibiotic resistance.
Eligible patients will be identified and contacted in the coming weeks, with vaccinations to be offered through local sexual health services starting August 1. During consultations, patients will also have the option to receive vaccines for human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis A and B.
Dr. Doyle noted that teams across the country are diligently preparing to initiate vaccination efforts promptly.
Gonorrhea is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK. Symptoms can include green or yellow discharge, pain while urinating, and discomfort in the rectum.
In women, symptoms may present as lower abdominal pain or bleeding between periods, but many individuals remain asymptomatic.
The 4CMenB vaccine works by using proteins derived from Neisseria meningitidis, the bacterium that causes meningococcal disease, which is genetically related to Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the cause of gonorrhea.
Studies from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation indicate that this vaccine has an efficacy of 32.7% to 42% against gonorrhea and can reduce the risk of infection, although it does not eliminate it completely.
Health authorities assert that vaccination thus remains beneficial, given that previous infection with gonorrhea offers minimal protection against subsequent infections.
The introduction of this vaccination program is particularly urgent as cases of gonorrhea resistant to the first-line treatment antibiotic ceftriaxone have been on the rise in England.
This highlights a concerning trend where bacteria responsible for sexually transmitted infections have developed the capability to survive and multiply even in the presence of antibiotics.
This comes as the country faces a record number of cases, with over 85,000 reported in 2023—the highest since records began in 1918. Health experts have raised alarms regarding antibiotic-resistant strains of the bacteria responsible for the infection.
The vaccine, known as 4CMenB, is currently used to protect against serious bacterial infections such as meningitis and sepsis.
It is already part of the routine vaccination schedule for infants, given at eight weeks, 16 weeks, and one year of age.
Dr. Amanda Doyle, Director of Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England, emphasized the importance of this vaccination program, stating that it represents a critical advancement in protecting individuals and curtailing the spread of infection while addressing the increasing rates of antibiotic resistance.
Eligible patients will be identified and contacted in the coming weeks, with vaccinations to be offered through local sexual health services starting August 1. During consultations, patients will also have the option to receive vaccines for human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis A and B.
Dr. Doyle noted that teams across the country are diligently preparing to initiate vaccination efforts promptly.
Gonorrhea is the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK. Symptoms can include green or yellow discharge, pain while urinating, and discomfort in the rectum.
In women, symptoms may present as lower abdominal pain or bleeding between periods, but many individuals remain asymptomatic.
The 4CMenB vaccine works by using proteins derived from Neisseria meningitidis, the bacterium that causes meningococcal disease, which is genetically related to Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the cause of gonorrhea.
Studies from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation indicate that this vaccine has an efficacy of 32.7% to 42% against gonorrhea and can reduce the risk of infection, although it does not eliminate it completely.
Health authorities assert that vaccination thus remains beneficial, given that previous infection with gonorrhea offers minimal protection against subsequent infections.
The introduction of this vaccination program is particularly urgent as cases of gonorrhea resistant to the first-line treatment antibiotic ceftriaxone have been on the rise in England.
This highlights a concerning trend where bacteria responsible for sexually transmitted infections have developed the capability to survive and multiply even in the presence of antibiotics.
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