The JCVI recommended use of the new ‘4CMenB’ vaccine over a year ago[i], but the Government has so far not approved its use, despite rates of gonorrhoea rising to unprecedented levels. The call comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) marks anti-microbial resistance awareness week (18th – 24th November 2024).[ii]

The charity has issued the call as the new Public Health Minister, Andrew Gwynne MP, attended the fourth ‘High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance’[iii], in Saudi Arabia last week. The conference set out to discuss ways in which resistance to first-line antibiotic treatments for infections such as gonorrhoea can be surmounted and new treatments launched.

According to the Terrence Higgins Trust and BASHH, the new 4CMenB vaccine is a vital tool in the armoury which needs to be deployed if policymakers are to achieve their goals and reduce the historically high rates of gonorrhoea in the UK. In 2022/23 alone, over 85,000 new diagnoses were recorded, an increase of 7.5% on the previous reporting period. That increase has been reflected world-wide: according to the WHO[iv], data from 2020 show that 82 million new cases of gonorrhoea were diagnosed in that year alone.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae poses a huge challenge in reducing onward transmissions. WHO has cautioned that in many countries, resistance to first-line clinical treatments, such as ciprofloxacin, is worryingly high. The organisation is also monitoring resistance to azithromycin and other available antibiotics. Presence of STIs such as gonorrhoea also elevates risk of HIV transmission, as STIs can cause a sore or a break in the skin, which can make it easier for HIV to enter the body. Therefore, tackling the rising rates and inequalities in gonorrhoea is important in supporting action to end HIV transmissions in England by 2030.

Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust said: “Utilising a new and safe vaccine that prevents STIs such as gonorrhoea is the single biggest contribution to preventing anti-microbial resistance. That, in turn, will help reduce rates of STIs and should be top of Andrew Gwynne’s to-do list.

“Recent years have seen shocking increases in gonorrhoea infections being reported. Worryingly, the data clearly show a disproportionate prevalence of STIs among young gay men and people of Black Caribbean heritage. We need to urgently arrest this increase – or face a concomitant increase in new HIV infections, which will happen if we don’t invest in new treatments and vaccines, such as 4CMenB, something the JCVI recommended over a year ago.”  

Professor Matt Phillips, President of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) said: “Our members work incredibly hard each and every day at the frontline, testing for, preventing and treating sexually transmitted infections. We have seen historically high numbers of new patients presenting at clinic with gonorrhoea – which if untreated, can make people very unwell and increase the risk of HIV acquisition. Vaccines such as 4CMenB are not just good for individual patients, who are our top priority, but are also critical to tackle deepening inequalities and to reduce longer-term complications from infections such as gonorrhoea. The JCVI recommendation is clear – the Government must commence its use to help reduce worryingly high rates of gonorrhoea.”

Richard Angell OBE concludes: “Antimicrobial resistance is a huge challenge facing us all – and the impact of not tackling it and not funding proper sexual health services will lead to failure to hit international targets, but also unhealthy people world-wide and huge cost to economies and healthcare systems. The JCVI say 4CMenB is safe and effective – it is essential that it is rolled out and deployed in healthcare settings. The time to act urgently is now.”

-Ends-

The British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) is the lead professional representative body for specialist physicians in Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) managing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV in the UK. It has a prime role in education and training, in determining, monitoring and maintaining standards of governance in sexual health and HIV care. BASHH also works to further the advancement of public health in relation to STIs, HIV and other sexual health problems and acts as a champion in promoting good sexual health and providing education to the public. More information can be found here: https://www.bashh.org/ 

BASHH media contact:

Sean Walker, M&F Health on +44 (0)7713860588
[email protected]

 
Terrence Higgins Trust is the leading HIV charity in the UK – established following the death of Terry Higgins in 1982. www.tht.org.uk

THT media contact:

Paul Bates, 07971 964770
[email protected] 

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/meningococcal-b-vaccination-…
[1] https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-amr-awareness-week
[1] https://sdg.iisd.org/events/4th-global-high-level-ministerial-meeting-o…
[1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/multi-drug-resistant-g…