Without Vaccines, Sexually Transmitted Infections Accelerate Across Europe

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) today reported a significant surge in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across Europe.

The latest Annual Epidemiological Reports on STIs in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA), published on March 7, 2024, reveal a sharp increase in reported STI cases in 2022 compared to the previous year.

Gonorrhea cases rose by a staggering 48%, syphilis by 34%, and chlamydia by 16%. This is a concerning trend that requires immediate action to prevent further escalation, wrote the ECDC.

ECDC Director Andrea Ammon expressed deep concern over the rising STI rates in a press release: "Addressing the substantial increases in STI cases demands urgent attention and concerted efforts."

"Testing, treatment, and prevention lie at the heart of any long-term strategy."

While no approved vaccines for these STIs exist, the United Kingdom (U.K.) has launched an innovative immunization program targeting gonorrhea.

In 2023, the U.K.'s JCVI considered the evidence presented regarding program cost-effectiveness and likely impact on gonorrhea epidemiology.

The committee agreed that a targeted program should be initiated using the 4CMenB vaccine (Bexsero®) to prevent gonorrhea in those at most significant risk of infection.

It is essential for individuals offered vaccination to understand that real-world studies have estimated that the 4CMenB vaccine is effective against gonorrhea between 32.7% and 42%.

Therefore, although vaccination would be expected to reduce the chance of becoming infected with gonorrhea, it would not eliminate the possibility.

Vaccinated individuals could expect to have some reduction in their own risk of contracting gonorrhea.

However, the JVCI wrote that the main benefit of a vaccination program is expected to be at the community level, with a significant reduction in the overall number of cases.