The gonorrhoea vaccine explained
In 2025, NHS England began rolling out a world-first vaccination programme for gonorrhoea.
Published on 09 January 2026
Written by
Hel Burrough, Senior content designer at SH:24
The vaccination is being offered to people at a higher risk of gonorrhoea infection. Whilst the vaccine will not stop gonorrhoea completely, it’s predicted to avert up to 100,000 cases in the next decade.
"The gonorrhoea vaccine will significantly reduce risk of gonorrhoea infection. For those at high risk of sexually transmitted infections, it can be used as part of a package of prevention measures that include pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV, doxy PEP which reduces risk of syphilis, condoms which reduce risk of most STIs and vaccination for hepatitis B and C and HPV. "
- Paula Baraitser, Medical Director, SH:24
Here’s what we know about the vaccination programme and how it could change sexual health in the UK.
What is the vaccine?
The vaccine is called Bexsero and also known as the MenB vaccine. It’s given as an injection in the upper arm. And you need 2 doses for protection against gonorrhoea.
Bexsero has been used as a vaccine against meningitis and septicaemia since 2015. It was not designed to protect against gonorrhoea, but recent research has found it can reduce the chance of gonorrhoea infection by 40%.
When does protection start?
It takes at least 2 weeks after your second dose of the vaccination for it to start working. As it is 40% effective and only works for gonorrhoea, not other STIs, it’s still a good idea to use other protection, like condoms, when you have sex.
Who will get the vaccine?
At the moment, the vaccine programme is being offered to gay and bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men who are considered to be at higher risk of contact with gonorrhoea.
That means you can be offered the vaccination if you’re a man who has sex with men and you:
have recently tested positive for gonorrhoea or another bacterial STI, like chlamydia or syphilis
have had multiple sexual partners in the past 3 months
In most places, people are being offered the vaccine during their sexual health appointments. So it may be mentioned to you when you next visit the clinic for testing, treatment or PrEP.
How can I get vaccinated?
Contact a sexual heath clinic if you think you're eligible for the vaccine. A clinician will check it's suitable for you before giving you the injection.
Looking for something more?
Since 2014, SH:24 has been making it easier to manage your sexual health with our free, online services. All delivered in partnership with the NHS.
All our information and articles are written by the SH:24 team and reviewed by medical experts.
Learn what symptoms to look out for, where to get tested and how to keep yourself safe from STIs.
From pills to patches, check out our guide to 14 different methods of birth control.
