A new vaccine targeting gonorrhoea will be launched in Scotland this August in response to a nationwide increase in cases. Gonorrhoea, the second most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Scotland, has seen a significant rise in recent years, with 5,999 infections reported in 2023 - a 59% increase from pre-Covid levels. The vaccine will primarily target gay and bisexual men at high risk of infection, as well as individuals involved in sex work, regardless of gender.

The most affected demographic in the UK includes individuals aged 16 to 25, gay and bisexual men, and those of black and Caribbean descent. The vaccine, which boasts a 30-40% effectiveness rate, is also being distributed in England and Northern Ireland. Calls for vaccination were made earlier this year by doctors and charities following a recommendation from the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) in November 2023. The Scottish government is spearheading the vaccination campaign in Scotland, with Public Health Minister Jenny Minto emphasizing the urgency of the initiative due to the challenges posed by antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhoea.

Dr. Sam Ghebrehewet, head of the vaccination and immunisation division at Public Health Scotland, hailed the vaccine as a promising new tool in the fight against gonorrhoea. He expressed confidence that the vaccination program would help curb the spread of the infection, with plans to target at-risk individuals starting in August 2025.

Is the vaccine effective enough?