The Department of Health has approved the roll out of a targeted
vaccination programme against gonorrhoea in Northern Ireland.
From August, eligible patients, which includes gay and bisexual
men who have a recent history of multiple sexual partners or a
sexually transmitted infection (STI), will start to be offered
the vaccine.
This follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and
Immunisation (JCVI) in November 2023, which recommended
commencing roll out of the vaccine following an upsurge in
gonorrhoea diagnoses.
UK Health Security Agency
(UKHSA) research shows that people who receive the jab – an
existing vaccine for meningococcal B disease, 4CMenB – could be
protected from gonorrhoea by up to 40% and help tackle the
increasing levels of antibiotic resistant strains of the disease.
Health Minister said: “With gonorrhoea
cases rising, the launch of this world-first vaccine programme is
important and very timely for Northern Ireland's public
health.
“By targeting those most at risk, we have an opportunity
to curb the spread and reduce transmission rates from this
complex disease, and to prevent thousands of cases over the next
few years.
“STIs aren't just an inconvenience, they can seriously
impact on your health and that of any sexual partners. If you are
offered the vaccine, I strongly encourage you take it, it is an
important step to protect yourself and others.”
Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Michael McBride said:
“The introduction of the vaccination programme will have
significant public health benefits for both those who receive the
vaccine, and the wider population.
“The programme has the potential to result in less
patients presenting with more complex cases and clusters of
gonorrhoea. I would encourage all of those eligible to take up
the vaccine when offered later in the year.”
The vaccine will be administered by local Health and Social Care
Trusts (HSCTs) through GUM clinics. For more information visit
here - Visiting Genitourinary Medicine
(GUM) clinic - Sexual Health NI.
Notes to editors:
- Gonorrhoea is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection
(STI) caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. Gonorrhoea
is transmitted through condomless vaginal, oral or anal sex, or
genital contact with an infected partner.
- Even if an infected person has no symptoms the infection can
still be transmitted. Typical symptoms of infection may include
thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis and pain
on urination. Infection may also result in complications: pelvic
inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility in women
and other people who have a womb or ovaries, and painful
infection in the testicles and prostate in men and other people
who have testicles or a prostate.
- Gonorrhoea is now the most commonly diagnosed bacterial STI
in NI. Around 8 out of 10 gonorrhoea infections occur in
men; gay and bisexual men are most commonly affected.
- Gonorrhoea diagnoses in NI have risen sharply since 2022.
Total gonorrhoea diagnosed in 2022 (1606) was 2.5x higher than
the previous year (652), and this high level of gonorrhoea
diagnosis was sustained in 2023. There was a small decline in
2024 to 1,208 cases. [Number of new episodes for
selected STIs 201-2024.pdf]
