Italy's vaccine access is significantly better than most European countries for gay and bisexual men — but it's decentralised. Each region (Lombardia, Lazio, Veneto, Toscana, etc.) has its own rules, and what's free in Milan may cost €160/dose in Palermo. prepinfo.it tracks current regional availability and is your best resource.

Mpox (Vaiolo delle Scimmie)

Mpox vaccination is free for high-risk groups including gay and bisexual men across Italy. Access points:

  • Dedicated vaccine hubs at Malattie Infettive centres — use prepinfo.it for current locations
  • Checkpoints (BLQ, Milano, Roma) can navigate you to the nearest hub and sometimes facilitate booking
  • Contact Roma Checkpoint (Spallanzani link) or Milano Checkpoint for the most current information in your city

Two doses required (Jynneos/Imvanex), 4 weeks apart. Both doses free for eligible groups.

Note: Supply has varied since the 2022 outbreak response. Check prepinfo.it for current status in your region.

HPV (Papillomavirus Umano)

HPV vaccination policy in Italy is both promising and frustratingly uneven:

Free for children: Boys and girls at age 11–12 (national programme).

Catch-up for gay and bisexual men:

  • Lombardia and Veneto: Often offer free catch-up vaccination for gay and bisexual men up to age 26, sometimes up to 45. Go to your local Centro Vaccinale (vaccination centre run by ASL) and ask explicitly. Ask for the "categoria a rischio" (risk group) pathway.
  • Lazio, Toscana, Emilia-Romagna: Varying — some offer subsidised catch-up, check with your regional ASL or Roma/BLQ Checkpoint
  • Other regions / all ages over 45: Usually private. Cost approximately €160–200 per dose × 2–3 doses. Ask about "prezzo agevolato" (reduced price) — some centres offer this

Gardasil 9 is the standard vaccine in Italy. Two doses if starting before age 15; three doses if starting at 15 or older.

Why it matters: HPV causes anal cancer, throat cancer, and genital warts. Gay and bisexual men are at significantly elevated risk for HPV-related anal cancer specifically. If free catch-up vaccination is available in your region — use it.

Hepatitis A

  • In many regions, free or low ticket for gay and bisexual men at ASL Centri Vaccinali
  • Ask for the "categorie a rischio" designation — gay and bisexual men are an eligible group under national guidance
  • Some Checkpoints facilitate access — ask BLQ, Milano, or Roma Checkpoint
  • Private if not available through ASL: approximately €30–50 per dose (2 doses)

Hepatitis B

  • Generally free for adults at risk through the SSN, including gay and bisexual men
  • Offered at ASL Centri Vaccinali — ask for "vaccinazione epatite B per categoria a rischio"
  • Combined Hep A+B (Twinrix): available, ask about risk-group pricing
  • Most gay and bisexual men who went through Italian schooling will have received Hep B as children (mandatory since 1991) — check your vaccination records

How to Access Vaccines

Checkpoint first: BLQ, Milano, and Roma Checkpoints all navigate vaccine access and know the current regional rules better than most GPs. Ask them which regional pathway applies to you.

ASL Centro Vaccinale: Your local ASL (Local Health Authority) runs vaccination centres. Find yours via your region's health website or ask at your GP's practice.

prepinfo.it: Tracks vaccine hubs for Mpox and has information on regional HPV programmes.

Summary Table

Vaccine SSN Coverage Private Cost Notes
Mpox Free (eligible groups) — Via Malattie Infettive / prepinfo.it
Hepatitis A Free/low ticket (many regions) ~€30–50/dose ASL or Checkpoint
Hepatitis B Free (most adults at risk) ~€20–40/dose ASL or childhood programme
HPV (Gardasil 9) Free up to 26–45 (Lombardia, Veneto); varies ~€160–200/dose ASL Centro Vaccinale; ask for risk-group pathway

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