ROAM offer vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea for all GBMSM who are eligible.
Hepatitis Virus
Hepatitis A & B (HAV and HBV) are viral infections that affect the liver, and if untreated can lead to serious liver damage including cirrhosis, cancer and premature death. It is passed on through faeces, blood and sex.
Gay, bisexual and all men who have sex with men (GBMSM) have a higher risk of acquiring hepatitis A and B viruses than the general population and are recommended for vaccination against both in Scotland.
Hepatitis Vaccines
Hepatitis A & B vaccinations can be given separately or combined and can be given at the same time as many other vaccinations, so you may be offered this at the same time as a vaccine for Human Papillomavirus (HPV). You may be offered:
- Twinrix (Hepatitis A and B combined) – 3 doses at 0, 1 and 6 months
- Havrix (Hepatitis A) – 2 doses at least 6 months apart
- Engerix (Hepatitis B) – 3 doses at 0, 1 and 6 months
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
All GBMSM in Scotland, who are up to and including the age of 45 are eligible.
The vaccine helps to prevent certain types of cancers which can be caused by HPV as well as 90% of genital wart infections. HPV is a very common virus which is spread through skin to skin contact, and is usually linked to sexual intercourse. Most people will become infected with HPV in their lifetime. It usually has no symptoms, so you may not know you have it. In most people, HPV will be cleared by itself, however carrying the virus means you are at higher risk of developing anogenital cancers (anal, penile, vaginal, vulval, cervical), head and neck cancers as well as genital warts. It also means you can pass the virus on to others. The risk of contracting HPV goes up as the number of sexual partners increase. Condoms do not offer full protection from HPV as they do not cover all areas of skin. The best way to prevent HPV related disease is through vaccination.
Why am I being offered the HPV vaccine?
Since 2019, all S1 pupils in Scotland have been offered the HPV vaccine, however, this was only offered to girls previously. Therefore, GBMSM are at higher risk of HPV because they do not get the protection that heterosexual men get from their female partners having been vaccinated.
Gardasil 9
Gardasil 9 protects against nine strains of potentially harmful HPV. These types are 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58.
The doses for HPV vaccination are as follows;
- Under 25 years old – 1 dose
- 25 – 45 years old – 2 doses given at least 6 months apart
- Individuals who are immuno-suppressed or known to be living with HIV – 3 doses. The second dose is given 1 month after the initial dose. The third dose is given 3 months after the second dose.
We are unable to offer the HPV vaccination to heterosexual people who missed the vaccine at school or come from a country where it is not offered.
Gonorrhoea
The MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea helps protect against gonorrhoea, a sexually transmitted infection passed on through unprotected sex. It’s recommended for some men who have sex with men who are at higher risk of getting infected.
You may be offered the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea if you:
- Currently have or recently had gonorrhoea or another bacterial STI (such as chlamydia or syphilis)
- Have had multiple sexual partners in the last 3 months
The MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea is given as an injection in your upper arm. You’ll have 2 doses, which need to be given at least 4 weeks apart.
After 2 doses, the MenB vaccine for gonorrhoea provides around 30% to 40% protection against gonorrhoea. This means that the vaccine does not protect against all gonorrhoea infections.
Mpox
The mpox vaccine helps protect against catching mpox (previously known as monkeypox). It also usually makes symptoms milder if you do catch it.
Mpox is a virus that spreads from person to person through:
- Close physical contact
- Coughs or sneezes
- Touching infected clothing, bedding or towels
The mpox vaccine is recommended if you’re at higher risk of getting mpox. This is mainly men who have sex with men and:
- Have multiple sexual partners
- Have group sex
- Visit sex-on-premises venues
The mpox vaccine is given as an injection, usually in your upper arm. Most people will be offered 2 doses of the vaccine, usually at least 28 days apart. After 2 doses, the mpox vaccine provides around 80% protection, but there’s still a chance you might get mpox. If you get mpox after being vaccinated, you’ll usually have milder symptoms than someone
Side Effects
The most common side effect of the vaccine can include itching, swelling, soreness and redness at the injection site This may last for a few days. Some other common side effects include – fever, fatigue, muscle ache, headache and sickness. These are common with vaccines and should resolve.
If you feel unwell after vaccination, contact your GP or ROAM. If out of hours, contact 111.
Serious side effects are very rare. You can report any unusual side effects to – www.yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk
For more information on vaccinations, eligibility or to book an appointment, call ROAM on 07774628227.
