The meningococcal B vaccine (4CMenB) is completely ineffective in preventing gonorrhea -- a sexually transmitted infection (STI) --, especially among high-risk groups like gay and bisexual men, according to the results of the world’s largest randomized control trial (RCT). Gonorrhea is a common bacterial STI caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrheae, and is transmitted through unprotected sex. Even as antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhea has increased rapidly in recent years, Australian researchers explored the efficacy of 4CMenB against the disease.The large randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 587 gay and bisexual men showed that the risk of gonorrhea incidence remains essentially the same even after vaccination. “Across both arms, the gonorrhea incidence was virtually the same -- at around 48 per cent per year, indicating very clearly that the vaccine had no effect on preventing gonorrhea,” said Professor Kate Seib, from Griffith University, in Australia, who led the trial.In light of the study, the researchers stressed the need to explore other options to combat gonorrhea, such as condoms and regular testing. The 4CMenB Vaccine While meningococcal disease (caused by Neisseria meningitidis) and gonorrhea (caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae) are distinct infections, both are caused by Neisseria bacteria, which share 80-90 percent genetic material. The bacterium N. meningitidis primarily causes meningitis and septicemia, and observational studies have shown that meningococcal B (MenB) vaccines such as the 4CMenB offer 33-40 percent cross-protection against gonorrhea. However, the latest study, presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Denver, US, found no protection against gonorrhea. The study “provides strong evidence that the 4CMenB meningococcal vaccine is not effective at preventing gonorrhea in gay and bisexual men who are at high risk of contracting it,” Seib said. According to the US National Institute of Health, the 4CMenB vaccine is a highly effective, protein-based vaccine designed to protect against invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) serogroup B. Approved in over 50 countries, it offers 71-95 percent effectiveness in infants and 100 percent in adolescents. What Is Gonorrhea Gonorrhea is a common STI, and sexually active people of any age can get the disease and pass it on to partners, and even to their baby during childbirth. Gonorrhea is the second most common STI caused by bacteria, just behind chlamydia. As per data from the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020, there were an estimated 82.4 million new infections among adults globally.The NIH noted that nearly 1 million new gonorrhea infections occur in the United States every year. About half of these infections occur in people ages 15 to 24. The symptoms of Gonorrhea in men include: White, yellow, or green discharge from the penis Pain or burning (possibly severe) when peeing Testicular pain and swollen testicles. Notably, the condition also occurs in women, but up to 50 percent of them won’t experience symptoms. This increases the risk of spread to other partners. Common symptoms in women include: Unusual vaginal discharge (white or yellow). Pain in your lower abdomen or pelvis. Pain during sexual intercourse Pain when you peeBleeding between periods