Vaccination plays an important role in protecting health. There are vaccinations available that can prevent infections that are passed on during sex or close contact with others.
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Hepatitis A
Vaccination against hepatitis A is available through GUM clinics for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.
If you think you might have hepatitis A, or have any questions, visit a GUM clinic or your GP.
Learn more about hepatitis A
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Hepatitis B
The best way to prevent hepatitis B infection is by getting the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine is particularly recommended for:
- people who change sexual partners frequently;
- men who have sex with men;
- people who have close contact with someone with hepatitis B infection.
Hepatitis B vaccine is given in a course of three vaccines over a few weeks or months and then a booster dose may be given at one year gap. It is very important to complete the vaccination course recommended by the doctor to ensure maximum protection.
You can discuss your likely risk and need for a vaccine with your GP or at a GUM clinic.
Learn more about hepatitis B
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Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Human papillomavirus (HPV) can be spread from one person to another during sexual activity. There are more than 100 types of HPV, and most are harmless. However, some ‘high risk’ types are known to cause cancer and are responsible for almost all cancers of the cervix in women.
In Northern Ireland, girls and boys aged 12 to 13 are offered vaccination to protect them against HPV-related cancers. The vaccine also protects against the strains of HPV that most commonly cause genital warts. Studies have shown that the HPV vaccine is very effective at stopping some cancers of the cervix from developing.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) aged up to and including 45 years and who attend GUM or HIV clinics can also receive the same vaccination against HPV. The HPV vaccine helps prevent infection that can cause genital warts and HPV-associated cancers. It’s especially important for those who have multiple sexual partners.
More information is available: HPV vaccine for men who have sex with men | nidirect
Learn more about HPV
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Gonorrhoea
Currently, vaccination to protect against gonorrhoea is not available in Northern Ireland.
However, in the future, a targeted vaccination programme is planned to protect those at highest risk.
The MenB vaccine is part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule to protect against meningococcal meningitis. As meningococcal disease and gonorrhoea are closely related, evidence shows that the MenB vaccine provides good cross-protection against gonorrhoea.
When introduced, the vaccination programme will focus on gay and bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men who are at increased risk.
Learn more about gonorrhoea
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Mpox
The vaccine is recommended to people at higher risk of being exposed to mpox.
This includes:
- gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and some trans and non-binary people who have multiple partners, have group sex, attend sex on premises venues or have had an STI in the past year, for example chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis;
- staff working in sex on premises venues;
- some healthcare workers in high risk settings where they may care for a patient with mpox.
A single dose of vaccine should be offered as soon as possible. A second dose may be offered at least 28 days after the first dose for those at risk of ongoing mpox exposure.
Where you can get the vaccine
Gay and bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men, as well as trans and non-binary people at higher risk, can get the vaccine through sexual health clinics.
Healthcare workers at higher risk will be offered the vaccine by their employer.
Information on the smallpox vaccination to protect against mpox is available at the links below:
Learn more about mpox