Vaccines in Sweden: Gay and Bisexual Men

Overview

Sweden provides several vaccines free of charge for gay and bisexual men under smittskydds (infection protection) provisions. Mpox and Hepatitis B are free at Venhälsan and equivalent clinics. HPV is covered for younger men under the national programme but expensive for adults. The Smittskyddslagen framework makes Sweden's prevention infrastructure notably strong.

Mpox (Monkeypox)

Cost: Free for gay and bisexual men Route: Venhälsan or regional Infektionsmottagning

Sweden prioritised gay and bisexual men during and after the 2022 Mpox outbreak. The Jynneos (Imvanex) vaccine remains available for free as a two-dose series for men who have sex with men.

Venhälsan (Södersjukhuset, Stockholm) is the most straightforward access point — call or book via 1177.se. In other regions, contact your Infektionsmottagning (infectious disease outpatient) or the regional smittskyddsenhet (infection control unit).

Availability varies by current stock and demand. If you have had one dose or previously had Mpox, tell the vaccination team — the schedule may differ.

Hepatitis B

Cost: Free for gay and bisexual men (smittskyddslagen provision) Route: Venhälsan or Infektionsmottagning

Hepatitis B vaccination is provided free for gay and bisexual men in most Swedish regions under the smittskydds framework. Three doses over 6 months are required; an accelerated schedule is available.

At Venhälsan, Hep B vaccination is routinely offered and managed as part of care. Elsewhere, contact your Infektionsmottagning and request "Hepatit B-vaccination för riskgrupp."

If you have had prior Hep B vaccination or infection, a blood titre test can confirm immunity before starting.

Hepatitis A

Cost: Usually free for risk groups; check regionally Route: Venhälsan, Infektionsmottagning, or travel vaccination clinic

Hepatitis A vaccination for gay and bisexual men is covered in most regions as a smittskydds provision. Two doses required, 6–12 months apart.

Ask at Venhälsan or your Infektionsmottagning. If not available for free, private travel vaccination clinics (VaccinDirekt, Medicheck) charge roughly 300–500 SEK per dose.

Combined Hep A+B (Twinrix) covers both in fewer appointments.

HPV

Cost: Free in national programme for boys born from 2012; adults pay privately Route: Private vaccination clinic

Sweden has extended HPV vaccination to boys in the school programme, but eligibility is based on birth year and phases in gradually. Most adult gay and bisexual men are outside the free programme and must pay privately.

Private cost: approximately 1,500–2,500 SEK per dose; three doses required (0, 2, 6 months), giving a total of roughly 4,500–7,500 SEK. Some providers offer a two-dose schedule for those vaccinated before age 15.

Where to access privately: VaccinDirekt (vaccindirekt.se), Medicheck (medicheck.nu), or hospital travel vaccination clinics. No GP referral needed.

Gardasil 9 (covering 9 HPV types, including those causing most anal cancers and genital warts) is the recommended formulation for gay and bisexual men.

Summary Table

Vaccine	Cost	Route
Mpox (Jynneos)	Free	Venhälsan or Infektionsmottagning
Hepatitis B	Free (risk group)	Venhälsan or Infektionsmottagning
Hepatitis A	Usually free (check regionally)	Venhälsan or private clinic
HPV (Gardasil 9)	~4,500–7,500 SEK total	Private clinic