France's public health system covers several crucial sexual health vaccines for gay and bisexual men completely free of charge, though there is a strict age limit on the HPV vaccine.
💉 The Free Vaccine Stack
If you are a man who has sex with men, you can access the following vaccines via a CeGIDD (completely free, no insurance needed) or via a pharmacy prescription from a doctor (reimbursed by the state).
| Vaccine | What it prevents | Cost / Eligibility | Doses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Liver infection (rimming risk) | Reimbursed / Free at CeGIDD | 2 |
| Hepatitis B | Liver infection (fluid risk) | Reimbursed / Free at CeGIDD | 3 |
| Mpox (Jynneos) | Mpox lesions and scarring | Free | 2 |
The easiest, most frictionless way to get vaccinated in France is to ask the doctor during your quarterly PrEP review at the CeGIDD. They hold the specialized stock (like Mpox) and will administer it on the spot.
💳 The HPV Age Limit
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Gardasil 9) prevents anal and throat cancer, as well as genital warts.
In France, the HPV vaccine is only reimbursed for men who have sex with men up to the age of 26.
If you are 26 or under, ask for it immediately.
If you are over 26 and want the vaccine (which you should, as it is the only vaccine that prevents cancer), you will likely have to pay for it privately.
- You must get a prescription from a doctor.
- You buy the vaccine from a pharmacy. It costs roughly €135 per dose, and you need three doses over six months.
- You then take the physical box to a nurse (infirmier libéral) or your doctor to have it injected.
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