Sexually Transmitted Disease Vaccines March 2023

Sexually Transmitted Disease March 2023

Certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be prevented by U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccines. STDs are caused by infections from bacteria, viruses, or parasites, says the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) works with genomic sequencing to further accelerate STD biological research, empowering the development of preventive and therapeutic vaccines. To Accelerate Diagnostic and Vaccine Development, the NIH/NIAID supports clinical studies for STD vaccines.

STDs include Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV/AIDS, Mpox, human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis, and syphilis. ValuePenguin published a study in February 2023 that found that since 2000, the number of STDs in the U.S. has significantly increased. For example, primary and secondary syphilis cases increased by 505%. And a study published in February 2023 concluded that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (chlamydia, gonorrhea) cause substantial lifetime quality-adjusted life-years lost among infected women. 

Sexually Transmitted Disease Vaccines

Chlamydia Vaccines - candidates continue in pre-clinical research.

Epstein-Barr Virus vaccines - candidates are conducting early clinical studies.

Gonorrhea Vaccines - meningococcal vaccine use continues in clinical studies.

Hepatitis Vaccines - are authorized in 2023.

Herpes Vaccines - candidates continue in clinical studies.

HIV Vaccines - continue in clinical studies.

HPV Vaccines - are approved and offered in most countries worldwide.

Mpox Vaccines - are authorized in 2023.

Syphilis Vaccines - continue in clinical research.

Sexually Transmitted Disease Tests

The U.S. CDC publishes STD testing information as of March 2023 for Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Chlamydia. Tests for these STDs can be ordered at www.ultalabtests.com. 

Sexually Transmitted Disease Research 2023

March 1, 2023 - The NIAID seeks applicants who can develop advanced vaccines for STI pathogens with limited candidates in the product development pipeline through the new request for applications - Sexually Transmitted Infections Cooperative Research Centers Vaccine Development.

February 20, 2023 - Researchers from the University of Washington, Kenya Medical Research Institute, and Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute announced results from a clinical trial demonstrating that doxycycline taken after sex does not prevent bacterial sexually transmitted infections (Chlamydia or gonorrhea) among cisgender women. 

Sexually Transmitted Disease Serologic Testing

The CDC’s GetTested online resource helps people locate free and confidential STD testing sites. On February 14, 2023, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Issued Final Recommendation Statement on Serologic Screening for Genital Herpes Infection. Based on the evidence, the Task Force does not recommend serologic screening for genital herpes in people without signs or symptoms. In addition, the Task Force concluded with moderate certainty that the harms outweigh the benefits of population-based screening for genital HSV infection in asymptomatic adolescents and adults, including pregnant women.