Galicia to Offer Meningitis B Vaccine for Gonorrhea Prevention
Starting June 2, the Xunta, the regional government of Galicia, Spain, will begin vaccinating individuals under 65 who are at high risk of contracting gonorrhea. The initiative aims to immunize approximately 10,000 people using a vaccine primarily intended for meningitis B.
Addressing Rising Gonorrhea Rates
The Consellería de Sanidade, the Galician health authority, stated that this decision follows observations of increasing annual gonorrhea incidence rates, not only within the Galician community but also in neighboring countries. This proactive measure seeks to curb the spread of the sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Did you know? Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Cross-Protection: The 4CmenB Vaccine
While a specific vaccine for gonorrhea does not currently exist, scientific evidence supports the cross-protection offered by the 4CmenB vaccine. This vaccine is typically used to protect against the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B.
The health authority emphasizes that in the absence of a specific vaccine to combat gonococcus, scientific evidence confirms the cross-protection provided by the 4CmenB vaccine, which is used to protect the population from Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B.
Genetic Relationship Between Bacteria
The bacteria responsible for both meningitis B and gonorrhea share a close genetic relationship, belonging to the same genus, Neisseria.This genetic similarity is the basis for the potential cross-protection.
The bacteria that cause both diseases are closely related genetically, belonging to the same genus (Neisseria),
the Consellería de Sanidade explained.
Pro Tip: Regular STI screening is crucial for early detection and treatment, preventing further spread and potential complications.
Recommendation from Experts
The Consellería de Sanidade highlights that reputable organizations, such as the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), recommend using this vaccine due to its composition and potential benefits in providing cross-protection against gonorrhea.
Sanidade explains that entities of recognized prestige,such as the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommend using this vaccine due to its composition.
Target Population and Vaccination Criteria
The target population in Galicia is estimated to be around 10,000 individuals. The 4CMenB vaccine will be administered at the time of diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection of epidemiological relevance, including chlamydia, mpox, treponema pallidum (syphilis), gonorrhea, and HIV.It will also be offered to individuals with a recent diagnosis (within the previous 12 months) of these infections.
More specifically, the vaccine 4CMenB will be used at the time of diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection of epidemiological relevance (clamidia, mpox, treponema pallidum, gonorrea and HIV) and in those people who have a recent diagnosis (in the previous 12 months),
according to the health authority.
Additional Criteria for Vaccination
Vaccination will also be available to individuals who have received pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV or other STIs multiple times in the past year.Furthermore, it will be offered when there is clinical suspicion of gonococcal infection, even without a definitive etiological diagnosis.
The consellería de Sanidade also stated that the vaccine will be offered to people who received prophylaxis against HIV, or another infection of transmission sexual, pre or post exposure in several occasions in the last year; and also when there is suspicion clinical of gonococia although not a etiological diagnosis is made.
History of STIs
Individuals with a history of two or more STIs (excluding HPV infection) in the past five years will also be eligible for the vaccination.
in addition, it will be administered to people with a history of two or more STIs (excluding HPV infection) in the last five years,
the health authority confirmed.
