World’s first Gonorrhoea vaccine launched amid rising infections

The United Kingdom has made global history by becoming the first country to launch a vaccine against gonorrhoea, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) whose cases have surged to record highs.

The vaccine, which has shown an effectiveness rate of between 30% to 40%, will primarily target men who have sex with men and individuals with a history of multiple sexual partners or previous STIs.

According to NHS England, rollout is scheduled to begin in August 2025, with doses administered through sexual health clinics.

In 2023 alone, the UK reported more than 85,000 cases of gonorrhoea – the highest number recorded since 1918. The infection often presents no symptoms but can cause severe pain, genital swelling, and infertility if left untreated.

“I’m 100% getting the vaccine,” said Max, a sexual health activist, who spoke to media after being diagnosed with gonorrhoea twice in one year. “This announcement is a major win for all of us,” he added.

Researchers from Imperial College London estimate that, if widely adopted, the vaccine could prevent over 100,000 new cases of gonorrhoea in the coming years.

Vaccine Price Outlook: Africa and Kenya in Focus

As the African continent grapples with underfunded public health systems, concerns are rising over whether countries with limited resources will have access to the new gonorrhoea vaccine.

According to an April 2025 report by Africa CDC, the projected market price per dose in African countries is expected to range between USD 45 and USD 60 (approx. KES 5,850–7,800) excluding distribution and storage costs.

This price point presents a serious affordability challenge for many low- and middle-income nations already battling STIs with constrained health budgets.

In Kenya, preliminary estimates from Q1 and Q2 of 2025 suggest that the vaccine could retail in the private health sector at KES 8,500 to KES 10,000 per dose.

This makes it one of the most expensive STI-related vaccines in the region, outpacing even HPV and Hepatitis B vaccines.

So far, Kenya’s Ministry of Health has not officially announced whether it plans to approve or adopt the vaccine. A senior official at the ministry told journalists ,

“We need a thorough review of its efficacy, safety, and social implications before making any policy decisions.”

Will Africa Be Left Behind?

Public health experts are calling on international partners including WHO, GAVI, and UNFPA to help secure vaccine access for African countries through subsidies, technical support, and affordable pricing agreements.

For now, the success of the vaccine’s rollout in the UK may serve as a turning point in the fight against STIs globally especially in Africa, where access to quality sexual and reproductive health care remains a significant challenge.