This page is about the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea. There is also information about the MenB vaccine for children which helps protect against serious illnesses like meningitis.
What the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea is for
The MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea can help protect against catching gonorrhoea and help to stop it spreading.
Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause serious problems if it's not treated. These include:
- an eye infection (gonococcal conjunctivitis) if you touch your eyes after touching infected fluid from a penis or vagina – this can also spread to a baby's eyes during birth and can cause blindness if not treated
- an infection in the testicles or prostate (prostatitis)
- an infection of the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries (pelvic inflammatory disease), which can lead to infertility if not treated
- an increased risk of premature birth and your baby having a low birth weight if you're pregnant
Who can have the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea
You may be offered the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea if you're a man who has sex with men and are at higher risk of getting gonorrhoea.
This includes if you:
- currently have or recently had gonorrhoea or another bacterial STI (such as chlamydia or syphilis)
- have had multiple sexual partners in the last 3 months
It may also be offered to other people who are at increased risk of getting gonorrhoea, for example, sex workers having unprotected sex.
A sexual health professional will decide whether you should have the vaccine.
How to get the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea
The MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea is available in sexual health services and is being offered to men who have sex with men who are at increased risk of getting gonorrhoea.
A sexual health professional may recommend you have it when you attend a sexual health clinic appointment, for example, for testing or treating an STI.
Non-urgent advice: Contact a sexual health clinic if:
- you think you're eligible for the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea
The healthcare professional you speak to can check if you're eligible.
Who cannot have the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea
Most people who have been recommended it can have the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea.
You cannot have the vaccine if you've had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of the vaccine or an ingredient in the vaccine.
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to a doctor or health professional before you have the vaccine to check if it's suitable for you.
MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea ingredients
There is 1 type of MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea available in the UK. You can check the ingredients in the patient leaflet:
Bexsero MenB vaccine patient leaflet (Electronic Medicines Compendium website; PDF only, 144KB)
How the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea is given
The MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea is given as an injection in your upper arm or thigh.
You'll have 2 doses, which need to be given at least 4 weeks apart.
Having the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea at the same time as other vaccines
You can have the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea at the same time as other vaccines offered in sexual health clinics, including the mpox vaccine, hepatitis A vaccine, hepatitis B vaccine and HPV vaccine.
Side effects of the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea
Like all medicines, the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea can cause side effects but not everyone gets them.
Common side effects
The most common side effects of the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea are mild and do not last long.
They can include:
- swelling or pain where the injection was given
- painful joints and muscles
- headache
- nausea
- generally feeling unwell
Allergic reactions
More serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction are very rare. The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
More about vaccine safety
Find out more about why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself
How well the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea works
After 2 doses, the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea provides around 30% to 40% protection against gonorrhoea. This means that the vaccine does not protect against all gonorrhoea infections.
You should continue to use condoms after having the vaccine to help protect yourself from gonorrhoea and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).