For the full clinical picture on each vaccine — what it covers, schedules, and the evidence — see The Vaccine Checklist. This article covers the Ireland-specific access routes and eligibility rules.

HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

HPV vaccines protect against strains responsible for genital warts, anal cancer, penile cancer, throat cancer, and other HPV-related cancers. Gardasil 9 (the current standard) covers 9 strains.

Free for:

  • All school-age boys and girls through the national immunisation programme (currently targeting first year of secondary school)
  • Men up to age 25 through the HSE catch-up programme (check hse.ie for current eligibility, as the catch-up criteria have been updated)
  • HIV-positive men: The HSE recommends HPV vaccination for HIV-positive adults regardless of age, as immune compromise reduces natural protection.

Laura Brennan Programme: Ireland's expanded HPV vaccination programme (named after Laura Brennan, the activist who advocated for it before her death from cervical cancer) substantially broadened access. If you were vaccinated under the earlier school programme, you may already have partial coverage — your GP can check.

If you're over 25 and not HIV-positive: You can get HPV vaccine privately. Gardasil 9 costs approximately €200 per dose (three doses needed = ~€600 total). Some pharmacies and private GPs offer it. More expensive than the UK's extended-to-45 programme, but available.

Where: Your GP or the GMHS. For private vaccination, pharmacies including Lloyds and Boots in Ireland also offer it.

Mpox (Monkeypox)

  • Eligibility: Free for gay and bisexual men at elevated risk (particularly those on PrEP, with multiple partners, or involved in chemsex contexts).
  • Vaccine: Imvanex (MVA-BN). Two doses, four weeks apart for a primary course.
  • Where: GMHS (Baggot Street) and designated vaccination centres. Some regional sexual health clinics.
  • Booking: Via the GMHS or through the HSE vaccination booking system.
  • 2026 context: Following renewed mpox circulation in Europe in 2025–2026, vaccination drives targeting gay and bisexual men have been prioritised. If you haven't been vaccinated, ask at your next GMHS or GUIDE Clinic appointment.
  • Boosters: If you completed a primary course during the 2022 outbreak, discuss a booster with your clinician given the ongoing circulation.

Hepatitis A & B

  • Eligibility: Free for gay and bisexual men at the GMHS and at public sexual health clinics.
  • Combined jab: Often given as Twinrix (hepatitis A + B together).
  • Schedule: Three doses at 0, 1, and 6 months for standard protection.
  • Where: GMHS or your GP. GPs can administer hepatitis vaccines — they may need to order the stock.
  • Why it matters: Hepatitis A is readily transmitted through sexual contact involving oro-anal exposure. Hepatitis B is a bloodborne and sexually transmitted infection that can cause chronic liver disease. Both are entirely vaccine-preventable.
  • If you've had previous hepatitis infection: A blood test can confirm whether you have existing immunity before vaccination.

Meningococcal Vaccines

Not routinely recommended or funded for most adults. If you are HIV-positive, some meningococcal vaccines are recommended — ask your GUIDE Clinic or HIV specialist. Otherwise, these are available privately.

Practical Notes

  • At the GMHS: You can often get vaccinations at the same appointment as a check-up or PrEP monitoring visit. Ask when booking.
  • Don't go to your GP for mpox or HPV expecting them to have stock — they often won't, and the GMHS/GUIDE is the right route for gay men's vaccines.
  • Check HSE.ie: The catch-up eligibility criteria for HPV in particular have changed and may change again. The HSE website has the current definitive criteria.

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