The NHS and local government are to roll out the world’s first vaccine programme to prevent gonorrhoea.
Eligible patients, including gay and bisexual men who have a recent history of multiple sexual partners or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), will be offered the vaccine through council-commissioned sexual health services from early August.
Analysis led by Imperial College London suggests the vaccine, known as 4CMenB, could avert up to 100,000 cases of gonorrhoea and save the NHS £7.9 million over the next decade if high uptake is achieved and an ongoing programme confirmed.
Local providers will identify and contact those eligible through sexual health services. Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Sexual health services, commissioned by local authorities, have played a vital role in detecting, treating and managing the growing number of cases of gonorrhoea across the country.
“The targeted rollout of the vaccine, which could be a game-changer and dramatically reduce transmission of gonorrhoea, is good news.
“Sexual health clinics are on the front line of STI outbreaks. It is vital that we have a strong and well-funded health protection system to support the vaccine rollout.
“It’s important that eligible people across England can access vaccines easily when they become available, and get protected.”