New vaccine offers protection for those most at risk of gonorrhoea

People at highest risk of infection with gonorrhoea in Kent and Medway will now be better protected from the disease, thanks to the roll-out of a world-first vaccination programme.

Gonorrhoea is one of the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK, with cases rising in recent years. This new vaccine, 4CMenB, offers vital protection for those most at risk.

The vaccine will help protect people who are most at risk of catching gonorrhoea, potentially averting up to 100,000 cases of the disease, while easing pressure on vital NHS services. It will also play a role in the government’s shift in focus for the NHS from sickness to prevention, as part of the 10-year plan.

Sexual health clinics run by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) will offer the free vaccine to people at highest risk of catching gonorrhoea. This will include gay and bisexual men who have a recent history of multiple sexual partners and have had a bacterial STI in the previous 12 months.

How to get vaccinated

To check your eligibility and book an appointment, phone KCHFT’s sexual health service on 0300 790 0245 or find your nearest clinic.

You can find out more about the vaccine for protection against gonorrhoea on GOV.UK.