Confidential, affirming vaccination care
Discuss your health, vaccination history and concerns with a pharmacist. Recommendations, funding and service availability are assessed individually.
How we work
- Ask for a private clinical discussion and tell us which name and pronouns you use.
- The clinician asks for relevant health and exposure information to assess recommendations, eligibility and informed consent.
- Health records and AIR entries may contain sensitive information. Ask what will be recorded and shared, including legally required reporting.
- For AIR access and representative arrangements, see our records guide and current Services Australia guidance.
- Call before attending to confirm availability and whether a referral or another provider is needed.
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
Check current risk criteria- Who
- Current Victorian criteria cover specified sexual, occupational and travel risks. People living with HIV need an individual exposure-risk assessment.
- Why
- A course usually involves two doses at least 28 days apart. Vaccination reduces risk but does not replace exposure advice or prompt assessment of symptoms.
- Cost
- The Victorian program funds eligible vaccination without a Medicare requirement. Confirm the provider and any consultation charge.
HPV
Age and immune status matter- Who
- Routine vaccination is recommended from age 9 to 25. After 25, the clinician assesses possible individual benefit rather than using a universal upper age of 45.
- Why
- Most immunocompetent people aged 9 to 25 need one dose. Specified immune conditions require three doses. Screening remains important when recommended.
- Cost
- NIP catch-up is available from age 12 to 25 subject to Medicare and program criteria. Other care may be private.
Hepatitis A
Discuss exposure risk- Who
- Recommendations include men who have sex with men, some travellers and other exposure or health groups.
- Why
- Hepatitis A can spread through contaminated food or water and close contact. Course timing depends on the vaccination history and formulation; protection is not guaranteed for life.
- Cost
- Funding depends on current state and national criteria. Ask about service and medicine costs privately.
Hepatitis B
Review records and risk- Who
- Birth year alone does not establish vaccination or immunity. Discuss sexual, household, occupational and other risks.
- Why
- A clinician assesses previous doses, whether testing is needed and the appropriate course. Infection or immunity questions may need a GP or specialist.
- Cost
- State funding is available for specified groups. Eligibility and private costs need individual confirmation.
Pneumococcal
Current adult funding- Who
- NIP adult groups include people from 65, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 25 and adults from 18 with specified medical risks.
- Why
- HIV and other immune conditions can change recommendations. A clinician checks previous doses and intervals against the current Handbook.
- Cost
- NIP Medicare and medical-risk criteria apply. A recommendation does not by itself confirm funded eligibility.
Meningococcal
Different risks and types- Who
- Discuss adolescent catch-up, specified medical risks, travel and any current public-health outbreak advice.
- Why
- Recommendations differ for ACWY and B disease. One vaccination type does not cover all meningococcal disease. Seek urgent help for concerning symptoms.
- Cost
- Adolescent and medical-risk programs have specific rules. Other vaccination may be private.
Affirming care, individual advice
Individual assessment. Your gender identity does not by itself determine what vaccination you need. Health, age, previous doses, exposure risks and clinical contraindications are considered.
Medicines and vaccination. Tell the clinician about prescribed hormones and all other medicines. Do not stop treatment without advice from the prescriber.
HPV and screening. The clinician checks age, prior doses and immune status. Vaccination does not replace cervical or other screening when recommended.
Your name and records. Tell us the name you use. Legal identifiers may still be needed for records and AIR. Ask Services Australia about updating its records.
Before surgery. Follow your treating team’s preparation plan. Bring any requested vaccination information; no particular vaccine is automatically required for all gender-affirming procedures.
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
Plan medicine supplies with your prescriber and check destination and transit-country import rules. Keep suitable documentation and original packaging; permitted quantities and authorisation vary.
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
A travel clinician checks the itinerary, entry rules and medical suitability. If needed, yellow fever vaccination and certification must be arranged through an authorised centre.
Full travel guideHow to book
Request a booking
Check the available booking options. Avoid unnecessary sensitive information in the booking form; discuss clinical questions with the clinician.
Book onlineWalk in
Services are based at the Sunshine pharmacy. Call before attending to confirm the clinician and service are available.
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
For broader LGBTIQA+ health information and support, the services below publish their own current access arrangements. They are independent of this website.
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!
HIV and sexual health services. Check current eligibility, location and appointment arrangements.
Switchboard Victoria
Free, confidential, statewide telephone and online peer support for LGBTIQA+ people, their families and friends.
QLife
National LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral. Check the service website for current access information.
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
Victorian LGBTIQA+ support service. Check the service website for current access information.
External services set their own eligibility, fees, hours and privacy arrangements. Check directly before attending.
If you have had a recent exposure
- Possible HIV exposure: seek urgent medical assessment now. Post-exposure treatment must start as soon as possible and within 72 hours. Contact an emergency department or sexual health service; do not wait for a routine vaccination appointment.
- Mpox exposure: contact a medical or sexual health service promptly. Post-exposure vaccination is ideally assessed within four days; later assessment can still matter.
- Immediate danger or severe illness: call 000. Peer-support services are not substitutes for emergency medical care.
Discuss your questions with a pharmacist
Ask about the appropriate appointment, fees and funded eligibility before attending. Bring your records and discuss health concerns directly with the clinician.
Sources
- Australian Immunisation Handbook · Vaccination for people at increased risk
- Victorian Department of Health · LGBTIQA+ health
- Victorian Department of Health · Mpox
- Australian Immunisation Handbook: HPV
- Smartraveller · LGBTIQA+ travellers
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre: sexual health and exposure advice
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. This page does not establish individual eligibility or clinical suitability.