Greater Manchester rolls out vaccine amid record high of STI cases
Greater Manchester is set to be one of the first areas in the UK to roll out the MenB vaccine (Bexsero) to combat gonorrhoea, following a record high of 85,000 cases in England in 2024, with over 4,000 in Greater Manchester alone. The vaccine, which reduces the risk of gonorrhoea by up to 40%, is part of a national vaccination program starting August 1, 2025. Eligible individuals include high-risk groups such as gay and bisexual men with multiple partners or recent STI diagnoses. The vaccine also helps combat antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhoea. Despite vaccination, condom use is still recommended for full protection.
Greater Manchester launches world-first gonorrhoea vaccine as STI cases hit record 85,000
Health authorities rolled out the groundbreaking MenB vaccine against gonorrhoea across Greater Manchester today, making the region one of the first areas in England to offer protection against a disease that struck more than 4,000 local residents last year. The launch comes as England recorded 85,000 gonorrhoea cases in 2024—triple the number diagnosed in 2012.
The vaccine, known as Bexsero or 4CMenB, has already been used to prevent meningitis. Research shows it cuts gonorrhoea risk by up to 40 percent while helping slow the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains that are becoming harder to treat. Two doses given four weeks apart are required, with full immunity developing two weeks after the second shot.
“Although gonorrhoea is a common STI, it doesn’t make it any less serious as they can have a major impact on your health and that of your sexual partners,” warned Jim Ritchie, Chief Clinical Information Officer for NHS Greater Manchester. “That’s why the introduction of this vaccine programme is so important for helping to keep people safe.”
The vaccine is available to gay and bisexual men who have had multiple partners in the past three months or recent STI diagnoses, along with others at high risk. Eligible residents can contact their sexual health clinic for appointments, with full availability across all providers by September 1. Health officials stress that vaccinated individuals must still use condoms for complete protection against gonorrhoea and other sexually transmitted infections.
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