MenB Vaccine Offers No Protection Against Gonorrhoea, Major Study Claims

New Delhi, India Jul 9, 2026 ALN: The Meningitis B vaccine does not prevent gonorrhoea infections despite being offered to at-risk men, scientists say.

The NHS started offering the vaccine to men who have sex with men last year, after previous studies suggested it might protect them. However, a new trial in Australia, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, has found no significant difference in gonorrhoea infections between men who were given the vaccine and those who were not.

The UK Health Security Agency stated that its own studies would provide "more robust data" and is not recommending any immediate changes to the vaccination program.

Gonorrhoea is a common bacterial infection transmitted through sexual contact. It can cause pain, unusual discharge, and inflammation of the genitals, but in some cases, there are no symptoms. The bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae is responsible for this infection, and it is known for its ability to develop resistance to antibiotics, making treatment increasingly challenging.

The vaccine, officially known as the 4CMenB vaccine, was designed to prevent meningitis B in babies, but the bacteria causing the two diseases are closely related. Meningitis B, or invasive meningococcal disease, can lead to severe health complications, including brain damage and death, particularly in infants and young children. The introduction of the MenB vaccine was a significant public health initiative aimed at reducing the incidence of this serious disease.

Since August 2025, gay and bisexual men who have sex with men have been offered the MenB vaccine in the UK, following reports of a 38% reduction in gonorrhoea infections among those vaccinated. This initial promise raised hopes that the vaccine could serve a dual purpose, potentially reducing the rates of gonorrhoea among a population that has been disproportionately affected by this sexually transmitted infection (STI).

However, a new study by the University of New South Wales in Sydney found evidence suggesting the MenB vaccine is ineffective against gonorrhoea. The trial, called GoGoVax, monitored 587 men over two years. Half of the participants received the MenB vaccine, while the other half received a placebo. This randomized controlled trial design is considered the gold standard in clinical research, allowing for the most accurate assessment of a treatment's efficacy.

The results showed similar levels of new gonorrhoea infections in both groups, with 291 infections in those who had the vaccine and 285 in those who did not. The report's authors stated that their findings were consistent with two other studies and provided "strong evidence that the MenB vaccine is not effective for gonorrhoea prevention." This conclusion is particularly significant given the ongoing public health challenge posed by rising rates of gonorrhoea globally.

Results 'Disappointing'

The UK Health Security Agency has indicated that it will not make any changes at this time. Dr. Mary Ramsay, director of public health programmes at UKHSA, emphasized the importance of considering a range of evidence. She noted that the ongoing vaccination efforts have involved over 30,000 individuals in England, and the data collected from these cases will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the vaccine's impact and effectiveness.

"Over 30,000 people in England have started this course of vaccination, and this will provide more robust data on vaccine impact and effectiveness. These findings will be published in due course," she stated. This ongoing research is crucial as public health authorities strive to address the rising rates of STIs, including gonorrhoea, in the UK.

Cases of gonorrhoea remain at record highs compared to ten years ago, peaking at 82,592 in England in 2022. Although numbers have reduced to 63,943 in 2025, they are still double what they were in 2015. Men who have sex with men are the most disproportionately affected group, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. This demographic has experienced a significant increase in gonorrhoea infections, highlighting the need for effective prevention strategies and treatment options.

Dr. Odile Harrison, an associate professor at the University of Oxford's Population Health Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit, described the results as "disappointing" but emphasized that this should not be seen as the end of the search for a vaccine. Her comments reflect a broader consensus among public health experts that while the findings are discouraging, they underscore the urgent need for continued research into effective vaccines against gonorrhoea and other STIs.

"Gonorrhoea remains a major global public health threat, particularly with the continued emergence of antimicrobial resistance, and an effective vaccine remains a high priority," she said. The rise of antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhoea has made treatment increasingly difficult, prompting calls for innovative solutions to combat this public health crisis.

Taku Mukiwa, head of health programmes at the sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust, echoed the disappointment and suggested that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) should reconsider the vaccine program. His remarks highlight the need for adaptive public health strategies that respond to the latest scientific evidence.

"If the evidence has changed, the approach has to change too," he said. "Rates of gonorrhoea in the UK are sky-high, particularly among gay and bisexual men, and we're seeing more antibiotic-resistant strains of the infection. What we do know for sure is that condoms and regular testing remain the cornerstones for preventing and stopping onward transmission of STIs, and we must continue to work to bring down the stubbornly high rates of STIs in this country," he added. This emphasis on traditional prevention methods, alongside ongoing research into vaccines, reflects a comprehensive approach needed to tackle the complexities of STI transmission and control.

The implications of the study extend beyond the immediate concerns regarding the MenB vaccine's effectiveness against gonorrhoea. They raise important questions about the future of vaccination strategies aimed at preventing STIs and the role of public health organizations in adapting their recommendations based on emerging evidence. As the landscape of infectious diseases continues to evolve, the need for a multifaceted approach that includes vaccination, education, and access to healthcare resources will be essential in addressing the growing public health challenges posed by STIs like gonorrhoea.