England will start a vaccination program for gonorrhea, the first such program in the world, starting in August. The focus of the vaccination program will be men who have sex with men (MSM) with a history of multiple sexual partners or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Gonorrhea, also known as “the clap,” is an STI caused by a bacterial infection, and MSM are at a high risk of infection compared to other men. It’s the second most common bacterial infection in the U.S.

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The highest rates of the disease were among those who had kissed at least four other men – whether or not they had sex.

It can be treated with antibiotics, but its resistance to antibiotics has been increasing. The U.K. identified 17 cases of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea in 2024 and 2025, with nine cases resistant to multiple antibiotic medications.

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Professor Matt Phillips of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV predicted that the U.K. will see “more people with serious types of gonorrhea and more cases of antibiotic resistance” if a more proactive approach to combating the disease isn’t taken.

Moreover, having had a gonorrhea infection previously provides no protection against future gonorrhea infections.

The vaccine, 4CMenB, has around a 32.7% to 42% effectiveness against gonorrhea. It has been approved for use against bacterial meningitis infections in the U.S. and is often used off-label for people at risk of getting gonorrhea. The pharmaceutical company GSK markets it in the U.S. as Bexsero. It’s approved for people between the ages of 16 and 23 and involves two shots six months apart.

“The launch of a world-first routine vaccination for gonorrhea is a huge step forward for sexual health and will be crucial in protecting individuals, helping to prevent the spread of infection and reduce the rising rates of antibiotic resistance strains of the bacteria,” Dr. Amanda Doyle of the National Health Service England told The Guardian.

She explained that people eligible for the vaccine will start being identified now and set up with appointments in August. At those appointments, they will also be offered vaccinations for MPOX, HPV, and hepatitis A and B.

The new vaccination program will help “tackle the growing threat of antibiotic resistance,” Health Minister Ashley Dalton said.

“By targeting those most at risk, we can reduce transmission rates from this unpleasant disease that is becoming harder to treat and prevent thousands of cases over the next few years.”

Symptoms of gonorrhea include inflammation of the urethra and a burning sensation while urinating. It can also cause a discharge from the urethra in people of all genders, as well as lower abdominal pain. It has been associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.

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