Record Gonorrhoea Cases in the UK

In a shocking turn of events, Max found himself in an unexpected predicament while taking a shower. His phone, connected to a speaker, blared with news that would turn his day upside down: he had tested positive for gonorrhoea. It was a distressing moment that mirrors the experiences of over 85,000 individuals in England last year alone—the highest number of cases ever recorded. Gonorrhoea rates have surged across the UK, doubling in the past decade, and those who have caught it are at risk of reinfection.

Max's Personal Experience

Max, who had previously been STI-free, found himself navigating a troubling reality. "In just three months, I went from having no STIs to dealing with three or four," he shared with BBC Newsbeat, emphasizing how common this infection has become. Gonorrhoea, primarily spread through sexual contact, often presents no symptoms, although it can lead to severe complications such as joint pain, abnormal discharge, and infertility.

Need for a Vaccine

Prevention has traditionally relied on condom use, but these do not offer complete protection against gonorrhoea. Thankfully, this infection can be treated with a single antibiotic injection, but a worrying number of treatment-resistant cases have emerged in the UK, raising alarm bells for health officials.

In a proactive step, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended the targeted rollout of the MenB vaccine. Initially designed to combat Meningitis B in children, research indicates that this vaccine may reduce the transmission of gonorrhoea by approximately 40%. The JCVI has concluded that vaccinating high-risk groups—including gay and bisexual men and those with a history of STIs—would be a cost-effective strategy. The potential reduction in healthcare costs from fewer treatment appointments could outweigh the expenses related to the vaccination program.

Call for Swift Action

Professor Matt Phillips, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH), has called for swift action on the JCVI recommendations. He warned, "If we don’t deal with it now, we risk an escalation of severe gonorrhoea cases and rising antibiotic resistance. The science and the JCVI's recommendations are clear. We need to act now."

Several sexual health charities, including the renowned Terrence Higgins Trust, have echoed these calls, emphasizing that financial investments into preventive health measures should be a priority. A spokesperson from the Department for Health and Social Care stated, "We want everyone to have good access to sexual health services and are currently assessing the JCVI advice with updates forthcoming."

Stigma Surrounding STIs

One significant barrier to addressing STIs, according to Max, is the stigma surrounding them. As an advocate for sexual health education targeted at gay and bisexual men, he expressed his willingness to receive the vaccine if offered. "There’s a lot of shame around it. I want to normalize discussions about STIs," Max explained, sharing his diagnosis online to help others feel more comfortable seeking help.

Demographic Challenges

Data reveals that specific demographics—especially individuals under 25, black men, and sexual minorities—are at a heightened risk for gonorrhoea. Max lamented that essential sexual health information often eludes queer communities, emphasizing that awareness and education must improve.

Community Efforts and Advocacy

Organizations like The Love Tank are actively working to bridge this gap, advocating for inclusive sexual health education and campaigning for the MenB vaccine to be made available on the NHS. Project coordinator Phil Samba highlighted the chronic underfunding of sexual health services. "It should be as normalized as going to the dentist," he asserted, as he noted a disturbing trend of acquaintances testing positive for gonorrhoea.

Barriers to Vaccine Access

Both MenB vaccine and Doxy-PEP, a preventive measure against STIs, are currently not provided for free on the NHS, with a private option costing around £110 per dose. Phil criticized the delay in providing critical health resources like the MenB vaccine, emphasizing that learning from past health crises is crucial.

Call to Action

In a desperate call to action, Phil urged, "We need to ensure that the resources, vaccines, and medications are accessible to protect public health effectively." With gonorrhoea rates soaring, the time to act is now—before the situation spirals any further out of control.