---

Gonorrhoea: Vaccination

Answer

The routine vaccination programme for gonorrhoea prevention is targeted towards gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), as this group is disproportionately affected by gonorrhoea infection, accounting for nearly half of all diagnoses in England.

The Government recognises that gonorrhoea and its complications can also disproportionately affect minority groups, including women from ethnic minority communities, particularly in urban and more deprived areas, where longstanding inequalities in sexually transmitted infection rates persist.

Vaccination is offered nationally through sexual health services (SHSs), which are skilled in identifying individuals who should be vaccinated, trusted by eligible cohorts, and understand the local populations they serve. SHSs can perform individual risk assessments to identify those at equivalent risk of gonorrhoea infection to GBMSM and offer vaccination where appropriate. Many services also undertake innovative and effective outreach programmes to reach those less able to access mainstream services.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation continues to keep all vaccination programmes under review as further evidence and epidemiological data emerge. Anyone concerned about their own risk should consult their local sexual health clinic for tailored advice and testing.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

HL11104

Session

2024-26

Subjects

Vaccination Gonorrhoea

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk