Men B vaccine

About the vaccine

The meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine helps to protect against gonorrhoea. Starting in August, this vaccine will be offered across Scotland to some gay, bisexual men and men who have sex with men when they attend sexual health services. This will be offered to you if you are at increased risk of getting gonorrhoea.  

From the end of July we will be getting in touch by text message to offer dedicated MenB vaccine appointments. These appointments are being offered to men who are most likely to benefit from it and will only be available for a limited period of time during August.   

People who will be invited to book a MenB vaccine appointment by text are gay and bisexual men and men who have sex with men who have been treated by us for an STI in the last 12 months.  

After August the vaccine will only be offered when attending for other appointments like PrEP or for urgent sexual health care.  

Why should I get the vaccine if I'm offered it? 

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria. If untreated, infection can lead to pain in the testicles, prostate and lower belly. It also can increase the risk of infertility and pregnancy complications. In rare cases, gonorrhoea can spread through the blood to cause infections in other parts of the body such as the skin, heart and joints. 

Gonorrhoea diagnoses are high in Scotland and the rest of the world. By getting the vaccine you are not only protecting yourself but helping to reduce the risk to others. 

FAQs 

Do I need to wait to be offered the vaccine, or can I request it? 

This vaccine is only available through Sandyford to those who have been offered it. Please do not contact us to request a vaccination if you haven’t received an invitation.  

If you feel you should receive this vaccination, but we haven’t contacted you, please read the information on: Who can get the vaccine to help protect against gonorrhoea | NHS inform  

If you are eligible for the vaccination you will still be offered it at your next sexual health appointment.   

Why was I sent an invite? 

If you have received a text message from Sandyford inviting you to book a vaccine appointment, this is because you meet the criteria of being at increased risk of getting gonorrhoea and are eligible to benefit from this vaccination.  

Why wasn't I sent an invite? 

Not everyone meets the criteria for the vaccine. Please be assured everyone on our system that matches the criteria has been sent an invitation.  

I’ve not been sent an invite but I think I meet the criteria? 

It may be that some people meet the criteria for vaccination but do not receive a text to invite them to book an appointment. This is because we are offering the dedicated vaccination appointments to those at the highest risk first. Don’t worry, if you meet the criteria you will still be offered the vaccine the next time you attend a sexual health service.  

Will all gay and bisexual men or men who have sex with men be offered the vaccine? 

The vaccine will not be offered to every gay or bisexual man. The vaccine will only be offered to men who have had an STI in the last 12 months or to men who frequently have condomless sex with larger numbers of sexual partners.  

How long do I have to respond to the invitation? 

Because this is a limited time vaccination clinic, we are urging everyone who receives an invitation to book an appointment as soon as possible. The specific MenB vaccination clinics will only be running during August. After August you will need to wait until you have your next sexual health appointment.  

When will I get my second dose? 

Your second dose will be arranged when you attend for your first dose.  

Can I have other vaccinations when I attend for the MenB vaccine? 

You will only be able to get the MenB vaccine at the dedicated MenB vaccine appointments. For any other sexual health vaccines you will need to arrange a separate appointment. 

Can I get the MenB vaccine from my GP or anywhere else?  

No, the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea is only being provided by sexual health services.   

Are there any side effects? 

Like all medicines, the vaccine to protect against gonorrhoea can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. You can read about potential side effects on NHS inform.