UK — The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated it is not recommending immediate changes to the MenB vaccine program following a University of New South Wales study that found no measurable difference in gonorrhoea infection rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated men. The study, known as GoGoVax, was a clinical trial that monitored 587 men over two years.

The GoGoVax trial reported 291 new gonorrhoea infections among participants who received the MenB vaccine, while 285 new infections were recorded among those who received a placebo. Half of the trial participants received the MenB vaccine, and the other half received a placebo. The university's study concluded that there was no measurable difference in gonorrhoea infection rates between the two groups. The NHS began offering the MenB vaccine to men who have sex with men in August 2025.

Dr Mary Ramsay, director of public health programmes at the UKHSA, said, "It is important to consider a range of evidence." She also stated that over 30,000 people in England have started the vaccination course. "Over 30,000 people in England have started this course of vaccination, and this will provide more robust data on vaccine impact and effectiveness," Ramsay said. "These findings will be published in due course."

Taku Mukiwa, head of health programmes at the sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust, described the study's results as "disappointing." Speaking in a podcast interview, Mukiwa suggested the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation should reconsider the MenB vaccine program, stating, "If the evidence has changed, the approach has to change too." He added, "Condoms and regular testing remain the cornerstones for preventing and stopping onward transmission of STIs."

Gonorrhoea cases in England peaked at 82,592 in 2022. Cases decreased to 63,943 in 2025, but this figure was double the number recorded in 2015. The 4CMenB vaccine was originally developed to prevent meningitis B in babies, as the bacteria that cause meningitis B and gonorrhoea are closely related.

Why It Matters

This development affects public health strategy in the United Kingdom, particularly regarding the MenB vaccination program aimed at reducing gonorrhoea infections. The UKHSA's decision not to alter the program comes despite findings from a clinical trial indicating no measurable difference in infection rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. The program has already seen over 30,000 people in England commence the vaccination course.

The situation carries implications for public health messaging and resource allocation, especially as gonorrhoea cases in England remained high in 2025, reaching double the number reported in 2015. The call for reconsideration of the program by a sexual health charity highlights differing perspectives on the evidence regarding the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing gonorrhoea.