Northern Ireland Launches Gonorrhoea Vaccination Programme in August

A new vaccination programme aimed at preventing gonorrhoea will commence in Northern Ireland in August 2024. Eligible individuals, particularly gay and bisexual men with recent histories of multiple sexual partners or previous sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are encouraged to schedule appointments now.

According to the Public Health Agency (PHA), gonorrhoea has become the most frequently diagnosed STI in sexual health clinics across Northern Ireland. This vaccination initiative follows a recommendation from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in November 2023, prompted by a significant increase in gonorrhoea cases. England is also set to roll out its vaccination programme in the same month.

Rachel Spiers, Immunisation and Vaccination Programme Manager at the PHA, noted that approximately eight out of ten gonorrhoea infections occur in men. She stated, “Gay and bisexual men are most commonly affected, so by offering the vaccine to those most at risk it will not only help to protect them against the disease but will also help to reduce the spread.”

The vaccine being deployed is an existing one for meningococcal B disease, known as 4CMenB. Research from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) suggests that individuals receiving this vaccine could achieve protection from gonorrhoea of up to 40%, potentially addressing the rise of antibiotic-resistant strains of the infection.

Rising Gonorrhoea Cases in Northern Ireland

Gonorrhoea diagnoses in Northern Ireland have surged sharply since 2022. The PHA reported a total of 1,606 diagnoses in 2022, which is two and a half times higher than in 2021. This elevated level of diagnoses has remained consistent in 2023, though there was a slight decline in 2024, with 1,208 reported cases.

Transmission of gonorrhoea occurs easily through unprotected sexual contact. Alarmingly, about one in ten infected men and nearly half of infected women do not display any symptoms. Additionally, the infection can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby, potentially leading to severe complications, including permanent blindness in newborns if left untreated. Notably, gonorrhoea is not spread through non-sexual contact, such as hugging, or via surfaces and materials like toilet seats and towels.

Even individuals who have undergone successful treatment for gonorrhoea previously can contract the infection again. The introduction of the vaccination is a proactive step aimed at curbing this public health concern and protecting at-risk populations.

As Northern Ireland prepares for this vaccination rollout, health officials urge those eligible to take advantage of the opportunity to safeguard their health and contribute to reducing the prevalence of gonorrhoea in the community.