why we need STI vaccines
Vaccines Could Revolutionize the STI Response
Despite decades of global efforts to control sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by promoting healthier sexual behaviors, such as increased condom use, treating people with STI symptoms, and improving access to testing and treatment, global STI rates remain stubbornly high.
An estimated 1 million new cases occur every single day.
The Need
Why We Need STI Vaccines
Most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) go untreated, often because they cause no immediate symptoms.
Even when a person does experience acute symptoms, such as discharges or sores, diagnostic tests are often unavailable or unaffordable. With or without symptoms, STIs can be transmitted to others, and may cause severe health consequences.
Many STIs, including genital herpes, gonorrhea and syphilis, can increase the risk of HIV acquisition
HPV infection can lead to several forms of cancer
Bacteria that cause syphilis can be easily passed to the baby during pregnancy and childbirth—resulting in stillbirth, prematurity, infant death, low-birth weight, congenital deformities, and other issues
Gonorrhea and chlamydia are major causes of pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in women
Gonorrhea has progressively developed resistance to antibiotic drugs prescribed to treat it
STI Vaccine Development Status
Where Things Stand
The STI Vaccine Roadmap
The Plan
The World Health Organization, the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and global partners have published a comprehensive roadmap for development of new STI vaccines. The roadmap identifies three key workstreams.
