Vaccines for gay and bi men: hepatitis A and B, HPV, mpox

Why get vaccinated as a man who has sex with men?

Because several infections that circulate widely between men are vaccine-preventable, which isn’t true of syphilis, gonorrhoea or chlamydia. Sexosafe (Santé publique France) talks about 3 essential vaccines (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, HPV), plus mpox since 2022.

Hepatitis A

• Why: spread by faecal-oral contact, notably rimming and anal play.
• Schedule: one injection protects after about a month; a second dose gives lasting protection.
• Details: hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B

• Why: highly infectious through semen and blood; can become chronic.
• Schedule: 3 injections. According to WHO the vaccine gives almost 100% protection, for at least 20 years and probably for life.
• Details: hepatitis B.

A combined A + B vaccine exists: handy for doing both at once.

HPV (papillomavirus)

• Why: prevents warts and anal and throat cancers.
• Who: recommended in France for men who have sex with men up to age 26, reimbursed by health insurance.
• Details: HPV.

Mpox

• Who: MSM and trans people with several partners, sex workers, people working in sex-on-premises venues; no proof required.
• Schedule: 2 doses 28 days apart (only 1 if vaccinated against smallpox before 1980), booster after 2 years.
• Details: mpox.

Where to get vaccinated and what does it cost (France)?

• At a CeGIDD clinic: Sexosafe says vaccines are covered there; it’s often the easiest option, alongside a test (CeGIDD).
• At your GP or pharmacy (on prescription depending on the vaccine), reimbursed by health insurance.
• During PrEP check-ups: hepatitis A and B vaccination is part of the follow-up.

Once vaccinated?

Sexosafe says that for hepatitis A and B, once the full course is complete, protection lasts for life, with no booster. To know where you stand (vaccinated as a child? past infection?), a simple blood test is enough. Keep a record of your vaccines.

Other useful vaccines?

Ask your doctor about routine vaccines too (diphtheria-tetanus-polio, flu, Covid), and, if you live with HIV, pneumococcus and meningococcus.