Vaccine value profile for Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Vaccine. 2024 Jul 25;42(19S1):S42-S69. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.01.053. Epub 2023 Dec 13.

Abstract

Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection (gonorrhoea) is a global public health challenge, causing substantial sexual and reproductive health consequences, such as infertility, pregnancy complications and increased acquisition or transmission of HIV. There is an urgency to controlling gonorrhoea because of increasing antimicrobial resistance to ceftriaxone, the last remaining treatment option, and the potential for gonorrhoea to become untreatable. No licensed gonococcal vaccine is available. Mounting observational evidence suggests that N. meningitidis serogroup B outer membrane vesicle-based vaccines may induce cross-protection against N. gonorrhoeae (estimated 30%-40% effectiveness using the 4CMenB vaccine). Clinical trials to determine the efficacy of the 4CMenB vaccine against N. gonorrhoeae are underway, as are Phase 1/2 studies of a new gonococcal-specific vaccine candidate. Ultimately, a gonococcal vaccine must be accessible, affordable and equitably dispensed, given that those most affected by gonorrhoea are also those who may be most disadvantaged in our societies, and most cases are in less-resourced settings. This vaccine value profile (VVP) provides a high level, holistic assessment of the current data to inform the potential public health, economic and societal value of pipeline vaccines. This was developed by a working group of subject matter experts from academia, non-profit organizations, public private partnerships and multi-lateral organizations. All contributors have extensive expertise on various elements of the N. gonorrhoeae VVP and collectively aimed to identify current research and knowledge gaps. The VVP was developed using published data obtained from peer-reviewed journals or reports.

Keywords: Gonorrhoea; Infertility; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; OMV MenB vaccines; Sexually transmitted infection; Vaccine; Value profile.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Vaccines* / administration & dosage
  • Bacterial Vaccines* / immunology
  • Cross Protection / immunology
  • Gonorrhea* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae* / drug effects
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae* / immunology

Substances

  • Bacterial Vaccines