Meningococcal B vaccination does not reduce gonorrhea, trial results show

Medical Xpress

February 26, 2026

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The meningococcal B vaccine (4CMenB) has been shown to have no impact on reducing gonorrhea rates, according to the results of the largest randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted so far. This finding contradicts earlier observational studies that suggested the vaccine might offer some protection against Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria responsible for gonorrhea. The trial, involving over 80,000 participants in Australia, found no significant difference in gonorrhea acquisition rates between those who received the vaccine and those who did not. The study was conducted by Griffith University's Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics and the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney. Researchers aimed to address the gap in evidence from smaller observational studies, which had suggested a potential dual benefit of the meningococcal B vaccine—protection against both meningitis and gonorrhea. However, the large-scale trial rigorously tested this hypothesis under controlled conditions, providing more definitive results. The lack of efficacy in preventing gonorrhea is significant because public health officials had hoped the vaccine could help address rising rates of the sexually transmitted infection (STI). Gonorrhea is particularly concerning due to its increasing antibiotic resistance, making it harder to treat. The vaccine's failure to reduce gonorrhea rates means that other strategies, such as improved STI screening, behavior change campaigns, and new treatments for resistant strains, will remain critical in combating the disease. While the 4CMenB vaccine remains effective at preventing meningococcal B meningitis, these findings underscore the importance of focusing on targeted approaches to control gonorrhea. The trial highlights the need for continued research into vaccines and other interventions specifically designed to address STIs like gonorrhea, which continue to pose significant public health challenges worldwide. This study also serves as

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Originally published on Medical Xpress on 2/26/2026