However, there are vaccines which may not be initially considered:
Hepatitis A
This vaccine should be considered for gay men. Hepatitis A is significantly higher in gay men due to sexual practices. It can be transmitted through the faeces, therefore transmission through oral/ anal sex can put MSM at increased risk. According to the Center for Disease Control in the USA (CDC) 10% of new Hepatitis A cases and 20% of new Hepatitis B cases in the USA occur in MSM.
In the UK the Department of Health states: “MSM with multiple sex partners need to be informed about the risks of Hepatitis A and about the need to maintain high standards of personal hygiene. Immunisation should be offered to such individuals, particularly during periods when outbreaks are occurring.”
Meningococcal Disease in MSM
It has been recently reported globally that out breaks of Meningitis serogroup c have been increasing in MSM. Between August 2010 and February 2013, outbreaks of invasive meningococcal disease (serogroup C) has been reported in New York City amongst MSM. There have been 22 cases, with 7 deaths recorded. In France 3 cases were reported in June 2013 and subsequently in Germany 3 cases have been reported from February and May 2013. Cases are presently rare in the UK due to the immunization program offered since 1999.
MSM aged 25 years and over who are travelling to New York or to Gay Pride meetings or other festivals in Europe this summer who have not received the vaccine may wish to discuss this with their GP, healthcare provider or a travel health nurse advisor at The Travel Clinic Ltd in Cambridge or Ipswich. MSM who are HIV positive and or those partaking in intimate contact with multiple partners met through bars, clubs etc should consider the vaccine. This has been discussed on Gay websites and New York gay websites are discussing the need for mass vaccination. At present the CDC are not recommending mass vaccination for MSM.
Most universities recommend menveo, the quadrivalent vaccine for their entrants from the UK. Menveo is available at The Travel Clinic.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV Gardasil vaccine)
There is a growing concern that the HPV vaccine should be extended to young gay men in the UK. According to a study published in Sexual Transmitted Infections, young gay men are fifteen times more likely to develop genital cancer than straight men. HPV can cause penile, anal and throat cancers, genital and anal warts. Heterosexual men gain protection from the virus through herd immunity if women are vaccinated, however this protection is not extended to gay men.
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