NHS England will launch a Gonorrhoea vaccine for queer men “with multiple sexual partners”, making the country the first in the world to start vaccinating people against the STI (sexually transmitted infection).

The vaccine, however, will not be available for everyone. The organisation is focusing on gay and bisexual men with a history of multiple sexual partners or an STI, after sexual health services in the UK were said to be “at breaking point” last year. 

The vaccine, which is actually designed for the closely related bacteria meningitis B, has an efficacy of 30-40 per cent, but does not completely eliminate the risk of catching the STI. 

The NHS hopes the vaccine will bring down an increase in the number of infections, which hit a record high last summer. Last year, recorded Gonorrhea infections hit an all-time high since recording began in 1918. 

While uptake is still uncertain, projected analysis by Imperial College London predicts that the vaccine could prevent 100,000 cases and save the NHS almost £8 million across the next 10 years. 

Intimacy educator Max Hovey told BBC Newsbeat in an interview that he would “100 per cent” take the vaccine. The sexual wellness advocate said the vaccine announcement “is great”. 

“It’s going to take the pressure off the clinics, it’s just a big win all round,” Hovey told the outlet.

Vaccination roll-out will be launched in August and will be offered through local sexual health services. Public Health Scotland is also looking at launching its own vaccine programme for those at high risk of the STI. 

Like many STIs, Gonorrhoea does not always cause symptoms. However, symptoms can include pain, unusual discharge, and inflammation of the genitals.

If left untreated, Gonorrhoea can cause infection in the testicles and infertility. It can also cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and can increase the risk of HIV transmission in people of any gender.

Those most affected in the UK include people aged 16-to-25, gay and bisexual men, and people with Black and Caribbean backgrounds.

You can find STI testing and treatment services in the UK here, and you can search for free condom services in England here.

The post NHS England to launch Gonorrhoea vaccine for queer men ‘with multiple sexual partners’ appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.