For the full clinical detail on each vaccine — what it covers and the evidence — see The Vaccine Checklist. This article covers Belgium-specific eligibility, cost, and access.

Mpox (Monkeypox)

  • Eligibility: Free for gay and bisexual men at elevated risk — particularly those on PrEP, with multiple partners, or in chemsex contexts.
  • Vaccine: Imvanex (MVA-BN). Two-dose primary course, four weeks apart.
  • Where: HIV Reference Centers (HRCs) — CHU Saint-Pierre (Brussels), ITM Help Center (Antwerp), UZ Gent, UZ Leuven, and other HRCs. Ex Aequo (Brussels) may organise vaccination campaigns — check exaequo.be for current availability.
  • 2026 context: Renewed mpox circulation in Europe through 2025–2026 has sustained active vaccination. If you haven't completed a primary two-dose course, treat this as a priority. Booster discussions are ongoing for those vaccinated during the 2022 outbreak.
  • Booking: Via your HRC. If you are enrolled in the PrEP Convention, vaccination is typically coordinated at your monitoring appointments.

Hepatitis A & B

  • Eligibility: Free for gay and bisexual men at elevated risk via HRCs.
  • Vaccine: Twinrix (combined hepatitis A + B). Three doses at 0, 1, and 6 months.
  • Where: HRC clinics, as part of the PrEP Convention monitoring framework. If you are not enrolled in PrEP, your HRC or GP can refer you for vaccination. Ex Aequo occasionally organises hepatitis vaccination drives — check their website.
  • Cost: Covered (with Mutuelle) as part of HRC care for at-risk gay and bisexual men. Outside this framework, your Mutuelle may partially reimburse — check your specific plan.
  • Why it matters: Hepatitis A spreads readily through oro-anal sexual contact. Hepatitis B is sexually and blood-borne; unvaccinated, chronic hepatitis B can cause serious liver disease. Both are entirely preventable.
  • Immunity check: If you've had previous hepatitis infection or vaccination, a blood test confirms immunity before unnecessarily starting a course.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

Gardasil 9 covers nine HPV strains responsible for genital warts, anal cancer, penile cancer, and throat cancer.

  • Free for: Boys and girls through the school vaccination programme, up to age 18. Belgium included boys in the programme in 2019. Check your regional health authority (Agence pour une Vie de Qualité / AVIQ for Wallonia; Zorg en Gezondheid for Flanders) for current catch-up eligibility.
  • HIV-positive adults: HPV vaccination is recommended regardless of age for HIV-positive individuals — discuss with your HIV specialist.
  • Over 18, HIV-negative: Not covered by standard reimbursement. Privately available at approximately €125–145 per dose × 3 doses = ~€375–435 total. Some Mutuelles offer a partial annual refund for preventive vaccines (typically €25–50/year) — check your policy. Available at GPs and pharmacies.
  • Worth having as an adult: HPV protection is meaningful at any age if you haven't been exposed to all strains — the evidence supports vaccination into the mid-40s.

Meningococcal Vaccines

Not routinely covered for most adults. HIV-positive individuals: vaccination against meningococcal disease (ACWY and B strains) is recommended — discuss with your HIV specialist at your HRC. Available privately otherwise.

Practical Notes

  • HRC is your vaccination hub: For mpox and hepatitis, your HRC is the most accessible route. If you're enrolled in the PrEP Convention, many vaccinations can be done at routine monitoring appointments.
  • Mutuelle matters: Vaccine coverage varies by Mutuelle and by how the vaccination is coded. Always ask the HRC or your GP before assuming a vaccine is free.
  • SCIENSANO: Belgium's public health institute (sciensano.be) publishes the current vaccination schedule and eligibility — the authoritative source for any coverage questions.

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