Government begins rollout of world-first gonorrhoea vaccine

04 August 2025 (Last updated: 7 Aug 2025 17:48)

From Monday 4th August, sexual health clinics in England and Scotland will be able to offer the 4CMenB vaccine, a free vaccine to patients at highest risk of gonorrhoea. The 4CMenB vaccine has also been available in Wales since July and is being rolled out in Northern Ireland this month.  

Professor Matt Phillips, BASHH President, said:

“The rollout of a gonorrhoea vaccination programme marks an important step forward for sexual health in the UK. It provides a powerful new tool to tackle record-high rates that are disproportionately impacting on some communities, as well as the growing challenge of antibiotic-resistant strains.
 
Vaccination not only helps to protect the individual but also their sexual partners, with much wider public health benefits. We need to prioritise prevention strategies like this to address significant inequalities in sexual health outcomes that persist across the country.”

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The Department for Health and Social Care issued a statement on the intiation of the England programme. 

Information on Scotland's programme can be read here. 

Information on Wales' programme can be read here. 

Information Northern Ireland's programme can be read here.