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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Health and wellbeing
    3. Living well
    4. Immunisation and vaccinations

    Gonorrhoea vaccine

    Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by bacteria. It can infect the throat, vagina, lining of the penis, rectum or eye. It is passed easily from one person to another through sexual contact. A vaccination programme is available for those most at risk of infection.

    Gonorrhoea

    Gonorrhoea is one of the most common sexually transmitted infection |(STIs) in the UK. 

    Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who have sex with more partners, are at increased risk of contracting it. 

    Untreated gonorrhoea infection can cause serious problems including infections in the testicles and eyes. 

    Further information on the symptoms and complications of gonorrhoea is available at:

    • Gonorrhoea

    Who is eligible for the vaccine

    Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who are considered at higher risk of gonorrhoea infection can get the meningococcal group B vaccine called ‘Bexsero’ to help protect them against gonorrhoea infections.

    The vaccine will also help to prevent cases of meningitis and septicaemia caused by the meningococcal B bacteria.

    The Bexsero vaccine 

    Bexsero is a vaccine that helps protect against certain strains of bacteria which can cause meningitis (an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and septicaemia (blood poisoning).

    It is used in the UK routine childhood immunisation programme and has led to 75 per cent reduction in MenB disease in vaccinated groups. 

    How Bexsero helps protect against gonorrhoea

    As meningococcal disease and gonorrhoea are closely related, recent evidence shows that the MenB vaccine can also provide some protection against gonorrhoea. 

    This means that individuals who receive the Bexsero vaccine may have a reduced risk of contracting gonorrhoea compared to those who are not vaccinated.

    You need two doses of the vaccine for protection. 

    The second dose must be given at least four weeks after the first dose, but can be given later, whenever you are next at the clinic. 

    The vaccine is given by injection, usually in the upper arm.

    It takes at least two weeks from your second dose for your body provide a good level of protection. 

    The vaccine provides around 30 to 40 per cent protection against gonorrhoea so you must continue to use condoms for protection against gonorrhoea and other sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis.

    Where to get the vaccine

    You can get the vaccine at your local sexual health (GUM) clinic.

    For more information visit:

    • Visiting Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) clinic
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    Immunisation and vaccinations

    • Childhood immunisation
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19): vaccine safety
    • Flu vaccination
    • Gonorrhoea vaccine
    • HPV vaccine for men who have sex with men
    • Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
    • MenACWY vaccination for teenagers and students
    • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine for older adults
    • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine for pregnant women
    • Shingles vaccine
    • Vaccinations in pregnancy
    • Vaccines
    • Whooping cough vaccination for pregnant women

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