Sexual health vaccines for gay and bisexual men in Scotland are managed by Public Health Scotland and delivered through your local Health Board. The offering is highly generous, but you have to actively ask for them during a clinic visit.
💉 The Free NHS Scotland Vaccine Stack
These vaccines are primarily administered at your local sexual health clinic (like Sandyford or Chalmers), though some may also be available via your GP depending on your Health Board.
| Vaccine | What it prevents | Scottish Eligibility | Doses |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPV (Gardasil) | Anal/throat cancer & genital warts | Free up to age 45 (MSM) | 1 to 3 |
| Hepatitis A | Liver infection (rimming risk) | Free for all MSM | 2 |
| Hepatitis B | Liver infection (fluid risk) | Free for all MSM | 3 |
| Mpox (Jynneos) | Mpox lesions and scarring | Free for high-risk MSM | 2 |
The HPV 45-Year Window
If you are a man who has sex with men, you can get the HPV vaccine for free on the NHS in Scotland until your 46th birthday. It is the only vaccine on earth that actively prevents cancer. Do not age out of this benefit.
Combined Hep A/B: Hepatitis A and B are usually administered together in a combined shot (Twinrix). It requires three doses over 6 months to give you lifetime immunity. If you drop out after dose one, you are not protected.
🦠 The Mpox Reality
Public Health Scotland has integrated the Mpox vaccine into routine sexual health care. It is administered as a subcutaneous injection, and you need two doses, 28 days apart.
If you received a smallpox vaccine as a child, you still need the modern Mpox vaccine. The old childhood scar does not guarantee immunity against the current circulating clades.
🗓️ How to Claim Them
- Book a routine screen: The easiest way to get your vaccines is to ask for them during an in-person STI check or PrEP review at your local clinic.
- Call ahead: If you are booking specifically for vaccines, call the clinic triage line to ensure you are booked into the correct nurse-led slot.
- Bring your history: If you were vaccinated in another country, bring a photo of your records. NHS Scotland will not automatically know your international vaccine history.
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