Confidential, affirming vaccination care
Pharmacist-led, judgement-free, with the vaccines you actually need — including mpox, HPV up to 45, hepatitis A and B. Most state-funded vaccines do not need a Medicare card.
How we work
- Your consult is private. We do not record sexual orientation, gender identity or sexual practice on your file unless you ask us to.
- We only ask what is clinically relevant — and only to confirm eligibility for vaccines where eligibility is risk-based (mpox, hep A).
- The Immunisation History Statement on your AIR record shows doses given. It does not say why. A “mpox” entry on your record cannot be linked back to sexual orientation.
- If your family is on your Medicare card and you would prefer they cannot see your record, see our guide to making your record private.
- Walk-in welcome. No referral needed for most vaccines.
Vaccines worth a conversation
The Australian Immunisation Handbook (ATAGI) makes specific recommendations beyond the standard schedule for several vaccines. These are the ones we most commonly discuss with LGBTIQA+ patients.
Mpox
Free in Victoria- Who
- Sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men · trans and gender-diverse people who have sex with men · sex workers · sexual partners of any of the above · people living with HIV
- Why
- Two doses, at least 28 days apart, give strong protection against mpox (formerly monkeypox). The 2022 outbreak has continued at low levels in Australia and case numbers spiked again across Victoria in 2024. Most cases have been in our community.
- Cost
- Fully funded by the Victorian Department of Health. No Medicare card required.
HPV (human papillomavirus)
Eligible up to age 45- Who
- Anyone up to 25 — single dose, free under the NIP if not previously vaccinated · adults 26–45 — particularly important for gay and bi men (anal cancer prevention) and people living with HIV
- Why
- HPV causes 9 out of 10 anal cancers. Rates in gay and bi men are 20× higher than in the general male population, and 80× higher in HIV-positive men. The vaccine prevents the strains responsible. Trans men with a cervix and trans women who have anal sex also benefit.
- Cost
- Free on the NIP up to age 25. Self-funded for 26–45 (see pricing). Three-dose schedule for adults.
Hepatitis A
ATAGI-recommended- Who
- Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men · people travelling to endemic regions · people who inject drugs
- Why
- Hepatitis A is sexually transmissible through oral-anal contact. Australia has had outbreaks in MSM communities (most recently 2017–18 across multiple states). Two doses, six months apart, give lifelong protection.
- Cost
- Self-funded (~$80–100 per dose). Sometimes funded during outbreaks — ask at the consult.
Hepatitis B
May be free- Who
- Anyone born before 2000 who was not vaccinated as an infant · gay and bi men, sex workers, people who inject drugs, household and sexual contacts of someone with hep B
- Why
- Hep B is sexually transmissible and has been the most common cause of liver cancer in Australia. Most people born after 2000 received hep B in childhood, but adults vaccinated overseas or before 2000 should check their status. A simple blood test (serology) shows if you are already protected.
- Cost
- Free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, sexual contacts of someone with hep B, and a handful of other groups. Self-funded otherwise (~$50–70 per dose, three-dose course).
Pneumococcal
For people living with HIV- Who
- People living with HIV, regardless of CD4 count · people over 70 · people with certain chronic conditions
- Why
- People living with HIV have higher rates of pneumococcal disease. A single dose of the PCV20 conjugate vaccine is recommended; if you have only had the older PPV23, a top-up may be advised.
- Cost
- Free under the NIP for people with HIV and other eligible groups.
Meningococcal ACWY
During outbreaks- Who
- Adolescents (free on the NIP at age 15–19) · adults during outbreaks affecting gay and bi men · travellers to certain regions
- Why
- There have been MSM-specific meningococcal C outbreaks in Australia and overseas. The ACWY vaccine covers the strains most commonly involved. Most adults have not been vaccinated unless they had it as a teenager (NIP since 2018).
- Cost
- Self-funded outside the NIP age window (~$80). Check eligibility — sometimes funded for high-risk groups during outbreaks.
Affirming care, all vaccines available
Vaccines aren’t gendered. Every vaccine on the Australian schedule is appropriate regardless of your gender identity, sex assigned at birth, or whether you have started, completed, or chosen not to pursue medical transition.
HRT and vaccines do not interact. Oestrogen, testosterone, GnRH analogues, spironolactone and finasteride do not interfere with any vaccine. You do not need to stop HRT before vaccination.
HPV vaccination still matters. If you have a cervix, regardless of how you identify, HPV vaccination and routine cervical screening prevent cancer. If you have anal sex with men, HPV vaccination is recommended up to 45.
We’ll use your name. We ask for your name at the start of the consult and use it throughout, regardless of what is on your Medicare card. Your AIR record can be updated to your current legal name through Services Australia — we can help with the paperwork.
Surgical preparation. If you are preparing for gender-affirming surgery, your surgeon may request specific vaccinations beforehand (most commonly tetanus, hep B, pneumococcal). Bring the pre-op letter to your consult and we will work through it with you.
Travel — vaccines and what else to know
Standard pre-travel vaccinations apply, but there are a few extras worth flagging for LGBTIQA+ travellers — particularly to regions with active mpox transmission or where access to HIV medication, hormones, or healthcare may be restricted.
Bring spare hormones or HIV medication
Carry at least 50% extra of any prescription medication, in original packaging, with your prescriber’s letter on letterhead. Customs in many countries flag injectable medication if it isn’t documented.
Check Smartraveller for safety advice
Smartraveller (DFAT) publishes a specific advisory for LGBTIQA+ travellers, including which countries criminalise same-sex relationships and where extra caution is needed.
Open Smartraveller LGBTIQA+ advisoryMpox before travel
Outbreak hotspots shift. If you are travelling to a region with active community transmission and have not completed two doses, consider catching up first.
Yellow fever certificate
Yellow fever vaccination requires an accredited centre and an ICVP certificate. We will refer you if you are heading to a yellow-fever country.
Full travel guideHow to book
Online, in 90 seconds
Pick a date, time, and what you’d like to discuss. You can leave the “reason” field blank — we’ll go through it in private at the appointment.
Book onlineWalk in
No appointment needed for most vaccinations. We have several walk-in locations across Melbourne’s west.
See locationsCall us
If you’d prefer to ask questions before booking — for example whether a vaccine is funded for you — call us. We can also book over the phone.
Call (03) 9364 7133Beyond vaccinations
We focus on immunisation. For PrEP and PEP, sexual health screening, HRT, mental health, and broader LGBTIQA+ healthcare, these are the local services we most often refer to.
Thorne Harbour Health
Victoria-wide LGBTIQA+ health organisation. HIV care, sexual health, counselling, family violence support.
Equinox Gender Diverse Health Centre
Specialist primary care for trans and gender-diverse people. HRT, surgical pathways, mental health. Operated by Thorne Harbour Health (Fitzroy).
PRONTO!
Rapid HIV testing for gay and bisexual men. Free, peer-led, walk-in (Fitzroy and other Victorian locations).
Switchboard Victoria
Free, confidential, statewide telephone and online peer support for LGBTIQA+ people, their families and friends.
QLife
National LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral line, 3 pm–midnight every day. Call 1800 184 527.
TransHub
Trans-specific health and rights information for trans and gender-diverse people in Australia. Plain-English, peer-reviewed.
ACON
NSW-based but nationally relevant LGBTIQA+ health organisation. Excellent sexual health and mpox resources.
Rainbow Door
Free statewide Victorian helpline for LGBTIQA+ people, families and allies. Call 1800 729 367.
We have no commercial relationship with any of these services. They are listed because we have found them genuinely useful for patients over the years.
If you have had a recent exposure
- HIV PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is most effective within 72 hours, the sooner the better. Go to any emergency department, or call the Victorian PEP hotline on 1800 889 887.
- Mpox exposure — a vaccine within 4 days of exposure can prevent disease. Call us or your GP urgently.
- Mental health crisis — Lifeline 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467, QLife 1800 184 527, or 000 in an emergency.
A confidential 10-minute consult is on us
Not sure what you need or whether something is funded? Book a free 10-minute consult and one of our pharmacist immunisers will walk through your AIR record and clinical needs with you, no obligation. Everything is private.
Sources
- Australian Immunisation Handbook · Vaccination for people at increased risk
- Victorian Department of Health · LGBTIQA+ health
- Victorian Department of Health · Mpox
- ATAGI · Statement on HPV vaccination for adults
- Smartraveller · LGBTIQA+ travellers
- Trans Hub · Vaccinations
This page is general information for Australian adults and is not a substitute for advice from your treating clinician. Vaccine eligibility, funding and brand availability change over time — always confirm at the time of booking. Vaccines are referred to by disease only in line with the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code.