Women Seek Access to Uromune Vaccine for Chronic UTIs

Women suffering from chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) are advocating for greater access to a new vaccine, Uromune, which has shown promise in preventing the painful condition. Despite its potential benefits, the NHS has not yet agreed to fund this treatment, leaving many patients to cover the cost themselves.

Uromune is a pineapple-flavored mouth spray that has demonstrated effectiveness in clinical trials, reducing the recurrence of UTIs, also known as bladder infections, for nearly a decade. Currently, patients in the UK must pay around £400 at private clinics to receive the vaccine, which is also available in countries such as Spain, Canada, and China.

In some exceptional cases, the NHS has funded Uromune for patients with severe, chronic infections who have not responded to conventional antibiotics. However, leading experts argue that the vaccine should be made available to a broader group of patients. They suggest that those who have experienced at least three UTIs within a year—about 1.7 million women—would benefit significantly from the vaccine.

Chronic UTIs contribute to approximately 150,000 hospitalizations annually in the UK, and around 6,000 people die each year due to complications, such as sepsis. The financial burden on the NHS is substantial, costing around £380 million each year.

One patient, Jacqui Giles, a 69-year-old from Oxfordshire, has shared her experience with Uromune. After suffering from recurring UTIs for 25 years, Giles found relief after using the vaccine. She described the debilitating pain that affected her daily life, making activities like walking difficult and leaving her feeling drained.

“Until you suffer with it, you really can’t understand quite how painful it is,” said Giles. After using Uromune, she experienced only three infections over the past year, with minimal symptoms. “I don’t dread waking up every morning now,” she added, expressing newfound freedom to enjoy life.

Experts like Bob Yang, a consultant urology surgeon at the University of Oxford, emphasize the transformative potential of Uromune for patients with recurrent infections. “These patients suffer from a debilitating condition, but are just handed antibiotics,” Yang stated. He believes that early intervention with Uromune could prevent patients from spending years on ineffective antibiotic treatments.

The need for alternative treatments for UTIs is pressing. More than a million people in the UK are affected by UTIs each year, with symptoms including burning sensations during urination and frequent urges to visit the toilet. The infections usually occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract, with E. coli being a common culprit.

Recent research from the US indicates that contaminated meat, particularly chicken and turkey, may be contributing to the rise in UTI cases. Women are at a higher risk due to their shorter urethras, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. This risk escalates after menopause due to decreased levels of the hormone estrogen, which can help protect against infections.

For many patients, antibiotics provide a temporary solution, but chronic UTI sufferers often find that the bacteria become resistant, leading to repeated infections. The NHS defines chronic patients as those who experience three or more infections per year, many of whom are left reliant on long-term antibiotic use, which can cause serious side effects.

Another chronic UTI patient, Sophia Dass, has faced significant health issues due to prolonged antibiotic treatment. At 31 years old, she has experienced stomach pain and developed an allergy to onions, which her doctors attribute to the antibiotics. “I did not want to be on long-term antibiotics, but I did not have a choice,” she explained, having turned to Uromune last year without success due to her long-standing condition.

The mechanism behind Uromune involves stimulating the immune system to recognize and combat the bacteria responsible for UTIs. The vaccine targets four common pathogens: E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, and Enterococcus faecalis. A long-term study of Uromune found that half of the patients remained free of infection over a nine-year period.

Currently, the vaccine’s developer, the Spanish pharmaceutical company Immunotek, has submitted an application for approval to the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). If approved, it will then be assessed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to determine its funding status within the NHS.

Despite the vaccine’s promise, critics caution against its widespread adoption before more is understood about its effectiveness across diverse patient populations. While the NHS estimates that Uromune would cost £326 per course, antibiotics remain significantly cheaper at around £50.

Charities and health advocates argue for immediate access to Uromune for chronic UTI patients, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive testing and treatment options. “Chronic UTI patients are desperate and are being forced to turn to private treatment, which is not acceptable,” stated Carolyn Andrew, co-director of the Chronic Urinary Tract Infection Campaign.

In the interim, patients may consider supplements like D-mannose, a sugar molecule found in certain fruits and vegetables, which some experts believe can help reduce the risk of infections. Additionally, probiotics may bolster gut health, potentially lowering UTI risks.

As the debate continues, many patients like Jacqui Giles hope for broader access to Uromune. “It feels like I’ve got my life back,” she said, reflecting on her renewed ability to enjoy life without the constant fear of triggering another infection.