The UK has introduced a vaccine to combat gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection that’s spreading rapidly. This vaccine isn’t new, but it’s being used in a new way.
It was originally designed to prevent meningitis, a serious infection that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. But researchers found it also reduces the risk of getting gonorrhea by about 30-40%.
Gonorrhea is a growing concern in the UK, with cases soaring to over 85,000 in 2023 – the highest number in a century. The infection is often treatable with antibiotics, but there’s a worrying trend of it developing resistance to these drugs.
The vaccine will be offered to high-risk groups, including men who have sex with men and have had multiple partners or previous sexually transmitted infections. They can get the vaccine from sexual health clinics starting this August.
The vaccine will be given alongside other injections, including protection against mpox, HPV, and hepatitis.
Experts think this vaccine could prevent up to 100,000 cases of gonorrhea in the next 10 years and save the NHS almost £8 million. Each dose costs about £8, which is seen as good value considering the potential benefits.
The UK’s move is a significant step forward in tackling sexually transmitted infections. This vaccine could help reduce the spread of gonorrhea and slow down the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
Other parts of the UK, like Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, are also considering introducing the vaccine.
Source: BBC