STI report underlines the importance of new vaccine offering

Today’s ‘Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Scotland’ report shows that STIs continue to pose a significant public health threat.

Today’s report provides data on the diagnoses of gonorrhoea, chlamydia, mycoplasma genitalium, syphilis and mpox in Scotland between 2015-2024. For the first time since 2020, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the report includes syphilis data.

Although gonorrhoea incidence has decreased from the high levels observed in 2023, they are still higher than pre-pandemic levels, with 4,534 gonorrhoea diagnoses recorded in Scotland in 2024. The decrease in 2024 was driven by fewer diagnoses in younger age groups, but concerning increases were noted in older men.

Gonorrhoea can cause significant pain and discomfort and in rare cases, life-threatening sepsis.

The highest rate of positive tests for gonorrhoea in the last five years was consistently observed in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men
(GBMSM).

Public Health Scotland (PHS) welcomes the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s (JCVI’s) recommendation to offer the MenB vaccine to those at increased risk of gonorrhoea. The Scottish Government announced the introduction of this targeted vaccination earlier this month. From August 2025, the vaccine will be offered to GBMSM at highest risk of infection, those involved in selling or exchanging sex regardless of gender and those who sexual health clinic professionals assess as being at a similar risk level.
The upcoming vaccination programme will complement existing interventions to reduce STI transmission, preventing thousands of cases of gonorrhoea.

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of the Vaccination and Immunisation Division at Public Health Scotland (PHS), said:

“With gonorrhoea diagnoses having increased in recent years, the offer of the MenB vaccine to those at highest risk of exposure is a welcome new intervention. This vaccination programme is expected to help control and prevent the spread of gonorrhoea.

“We are working with the Scottish Government and colleagues across NHS Boards to finalise plans for the roll out of this targeted vaccination offering from August 2025.”

Today’s STI report also reiterates that the best way to reduce the risk of catching sexually transmitted infections is the correct and consistent use of a condom for sex with new and casual partners.

Further information on the signs and symptoms of STIs and where to seek advice is available on NHS Inform.

View Scottish Government’s news story: Vaccine to prevent gonorrhoea - gov.scot

View the JCVI’s advice: Meningococcal B vaccination for the prevention of gonorrhoea, JCVI advice: 10 November - GOV.UK