A vaccine to help prevent against Gonorrhoea for eligible groups

posted by: Susan Mills

Specialist sexual health services can now offer a meningococcal group B vaccine called ‘Bexsero’ to those who are considered to be at higher risk of gonorrhoea infection.

The vaccine will be available to eligible gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) to help protect against gonorrhoea infections.

Gonorrhoea is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK. GBMSM who have sex with a higher number of partners are at an increased risk of contracting the infection and, if left untreated, gonorrhoea infection can cause serious problems including infections in the testicles and eyes.

Bexsero is a vaccine that has been available for many years to help protect against meningitis infections, and recent research has shown the vaccine may also offer some protection against gonorrhoea.

Devon Sexual Health will soon be able to offer the vaccine as part of routine care for patients who are eligible for it and attending clinics for other sexual health needs such as PrEP, or STI testing and treatment.

The vaccine may not completely stop you from getting a gonorrhoea infection, but it will help reduce the chance of infection and passing it onto your sexual partners.

More information on the vaccine can be found here.