Safer sex isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. There are a lot of ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), enabling you to find the options that work best for you.
These can include prevention methods used in the moment—like condoms—or those used before and after sex, like emergency HIV PEP, HIV PrEP, and DoxyPEP. Another option is vaccines, which give protection against some infections.
Here’s our guide to long-lasting STI prevention via vaccination, with information provided by The Love Tank and BHOC.
Where to get vaccines
Depending on your body and who you have sex with, you may be able to get some vaccines for free. Vaccine recommendations and availability vary by location, so we’ve included information for both the U.K. and the U.S. throughout.
In the U.K.: If you’re part of an eligible group, you can get most vaccines free on the NHS from sexual health clinics.
In the U.S.: There are programs for free and low-cost vaccination—contact your local public health department to learn more or find vaccines at GetTested.CDC.gov.
If you live elsewhere, check with your local healthcare provider or sexual health service to find out what’s recommended and available to you.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a virus that affects the liver, and it’s spread through tiny amounts of fecal matter. During sex it’s most commonly passed on when there’s anal play involved, like rimming. It can also be spread through contaminated food, water, or objects (including sex toys).
Symptoms of hepatitis A can include:
- Fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
- Severe stomach pains and diarrhea
- Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements)
These symptoms usually appear two to six weeks after exposure and typically last less than two months, although some people can be sick for as long as six months.
How does the hepatitis A vaccine work?
The hepatitis A vaccine is given in two doses, six months apart. It provides protection for around 25 years. Sometimes it’s given as part of pre-travel vaccinations. If you’re not sure whether you’ve had it, or if it’s been a very long time since you were vaccinated, you can get your immunity levels checked with a blood test (available at most sexual health clinics).
Who can get the hepatitis A vaccine?
The vaccine is recommended if you have sex with people born with a penis, if they also have sex with people born with a penis. That would include gay and bisexual cisgender men and their partners, trans women and their partners, gay trans men, and so on. It’s also recommended for sex workers and their clients, people living with HIV, and people who inject drugs.
You can find more information on the hepatitis A vaccine via the CDC.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is another virus that affects the liver. It can be transmitted when infected blood, semen or other bodily fluids enter another person’s body. This can happen through sex or by sharing equipment to inject drugs.
Hepatitis B can be either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Symptoms of acute hepatitis B can include:
- Fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea and/or vomiting
- Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements)
- Pain in muscles, joints and stomach
Chronic hepatitis B occurs when the virus remains in the body. Many people don’t have symptoms, but it can still be very serious and can lead to liver damage (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and, in some cases, death.
People with chronic hepatitis B can also pass the virus on to others, even if they don’t feel sick themselves.
How does the hepatitis B vaccine work?
The hepatitis B vaccine schedule varies depending on where you live.
In the U.K.: The hepatitis B vaccine is given in three doses, once per month for three months. People living with HIV need a double dose once a month for four months. It provides protection for 20 to 30 years, and you can get your immunity levels checked with a blood test at a sexual health clinic.
In the U.S.: You’ll typically need two to three doses for long-lasting protection, depending on which type of hepatitis B vaccine you receive. If you have the three-dose vaccine, the doses are given over six months.
Who can get the hepatitis B vaccine?
The vaccine is recommended if you have sex with people born with a penis, if they also have sex with people born with a penis. It’s also recommended for sex workers and their clients, people living with HIV, and people who inject drugs.
You can find more information on the hepatitis B vaccine via the CDC.
The combined hepatitis A/B vaccine
A combined vaccine, Twinrix, provides protection against both hepatitis A and B. The normal schedule is three doses over six months, but there is a fast-track option of three doses in one month followed by a booster one year later. This is mostly taken by people who need rapid protection before travel.
To get your vaccine through the U.K.’s NHS or U.S. public health departments, Twinrix has the same eligibility criteria as the hepatitis A and B vaccines. People who need the vaccine for travel will usually pay for it privately.
HPV
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a family of viruses, and the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. HPV is so common that almost every sexually active person will get it at some point in their life, according to the World Health Organization.
It’s spread by skin-to-skin contact, usually during oral, vaginal or anal sex with someone who has the virus. The majority of infections will go away on their own. But when HPV doesn’t go away on its own, it can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers (oral, anal, cervical, and penile).
Certain types of HPV are known to increase the risk of genital warts and cancer. The current HPV vaccine can help protect against nine of these highest-risk HPV strains.
How does the HPV vaccine work?
The HPV vaccine schedule varies depending on your country.
In the U.K.: The vaccine is a single dose for people under 25 and two doses one month apart if you’re older than 25.
In the U.S.: Vaccination includes two doses for people under 15 and three doses over six months if you’re older than 15.
Studies currently show that protection by the HPV vaccine lasts for around 10 years, but—as the vaccine continues to be used—studies are expected to find that it lasts for much longer, according to Cancer Research.
Who can get the HPV vaccine?
In the U.K. and U.S., the HPV vaccine is usually offered to young people in their early teens. It’s also recommended for sex workers and people living with HIV.
The HPV vaccine is additionally recommended if you’re under 45 and you have sex with people born with a penis, if they also have sex with people born with a penis.
Mpox
Mpox (previously called monkeypox) is a virus that can cause painful sores, fever, and flu-like symptoms. In serious cases, it can require hospitalization. In Europe and North America, it mostly affects people born with a penis who have sex with people born with a penis and their sex partners. However, anyone who is sexually active or having close skin-to-skin contact can get mpox.
Symptoms of mpox can include:
- A high temperature or feeling hot, cold or shivery
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backache
- Swollen glands
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- Joint pain
Symptoms usually appear within five to 21 days, and not everyone experiences all of them. A rash usually appears one to five days after the first symptoms and can develop anywhere on the body, including on or inside the mouth, genitals, and anus. It starts as raised spots, which develop into sores or fluid-filled blisters before eventually forming scabs that fall off. Some people may also experience vaginal and/or anal pain or bleeding. If the sores are inside of your body, you may not be able to see them.
Mpox is passed on through close physical contact with an mpox rash, blisters or scabs, including during sex, kissing, cuddling or other skin-to-skin contact. It can also be passed on through contaminated clothing, bedding or towels, or (more rarely) through coughs and sneezes during close contact.
How does the mpox vaccine work?
The mpox vaccine was originally designed for smallpox, which is a related virus. Research has shown it is also effective at preventing or reducing the severity of mpox. It’s taken in two doses at least one month apart, and is estimated to give protection for seven to 10 years.
Who can get the mpox vaccine?
The mpox vaccine is recommended if you have sex with people born with a penis, if they also have sex with people born with a penis and their sex partners. It’s also recommended for people who have group sex, or who visit or work at sex venues such as bathhouses. However, anyone who is sexually active or having close skin-to-skin contact can get mpox.
Learn more about mpox and the vaccine via Queer Health.
Learn more about prevention options for safer sex here. For extra information, take a look at our guides to STI testing, self-testing, HIV, and prioritizing sexual health and safety.
