Finland's vaccination programme covers several important vaccines for gay and bisexual men at no cost, while others — particularly HPV — remain expensive for adults. Here's what you're entitled to and how to access it.

Mpox Vaccine

Free for gay and bisexual men with multiple partners.

Finland follows European guidance recommending Mpox (monkeypox) vaccination for gay and bisexual men with multiple or changing partners. The vaccine (Imvanex/Jynneos, two doses 28 days apart) is available through:

  • Hivpoint — hivpoint.fi. Book via their website. This is often the fastest route.
  • Sukupuolitautien poliklinikka (Meilahti, Helsinki) — book via Maisa portal
  • Terveysasema — your local health station can also arrange this

During outbreak periods, additional vaccination sessions are announced via Hivpoint and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

Hepatitis A and B

Free for gay and bisexual men as a risk-group recommendation.

Both Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines are recommended and available at no cost for gay and bisexual men with multiple partners through the public system. Ask at your terveysasema or the sukupuolitautien poliklinikka.

"Olen homo tai biseksuaali ja minulla on useita seksikumppaneita. Onko minulla oikeus hepatiitti A- ja B-rokotteeseen ilmaiseksi?" ("I'm gay or bisexual and have multiple sexual partners. Am I entitled to free hepatitis A and B vaccines?")

A combined Hep A+B vaccine (Twinrix) can cover both in one course.

If you received the Hepatitis B vaccine as a child, your immunity may have waned — the sukupuolitautien poliklinikka can check your antibody levels.

HPV Vaccine

The cost trap for adult gay and bisexual men.

  • School-age (under 15 and in the national programme): Free. Finland now includes boys in the national HPV vaccination programme.
  • Adults not previously vaccinated: Not covered by Kela. Full Gardasil 9 course costs approximately €500–600 (3 doses at approximately €170–200 each).

HPV causes anal cancer, throat cancer, penile cancer, and genital warts. Gay and bisexual men with receptive anal sex are at elevated risk of HPV-related anal cancer. If you're under 45 and unvaccinated, vaccination is worth discussing with your doctor even at private cost.

Some private clinics (Mehiläinen, Terveystalo) occasionally run promotions on HPV vaccination. Ask about current pricing.

Getting Vaccinated

For free vaccines (Mpox, Hep A/B):

  1. Book via Hivpoint — fastest for Mpox; hivpoint.fi
  2. Book via Maisa — asiointi.maisa.fi — for Helsinki area health services
  3. Call your terveysasema — ask about risk-group vaccination entitlement

For private vaccines (HPV):

  • Mehiläinen (mehilainen.fi) or Terveystalo (terveystalo.com) — nationwide networks
  • Ask about Gardasil 9 current pricing

Your Vaccination Records

All vaccinations given in the public Finnish health system are recorded in Kanta (kanta.fi) — Finland's national patient data system. Access via the Omakanta portal (omakanta.fi) with your online banking credentials or Kanta mobile app.

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