Vaccines for hepatitis A and B are free for men who have sex with men 

Ruskeaihoinen, mustahiuksinen henkilö hymyilee ja nostaa hihaansa paljastaen olkavarren, jossa on rokotuksen jäljiltä pieni laastari.

Page last reviewed 20.11.2025

Men who have sex with men have a higher risk of getting hepatitis A or B through sex, because these infections are more common in this group. Although the number of hepatitis infections through sex in Finland is relatively low each year, in many popular travel destinations like Berlin or Barcelona, the number of cases is much higher. 

Men who have sex with men can get vaccines for hepatitis A and B for free as part of the national vaccination programme.

Vaccines for hepatitis A and B are recommended for all men who have sex with men. They are especially recommended and necessary for persons who are starting – or are already on – PrEP medication (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV). The vaccine series should ideally begin before having a PrEP evaluation. 

Free vaccines for hepatitis A and B are also available for people who inject drugs and their close contacts, as well as for those who have a bleeding disorder and receive regular treatment. Free vaccines for hepatitis A and B for risk groups are based on guidelines from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

How many vaccine doses are needed? 

You can receive the vaccines for hepatitis A and B separately, but the easiest way to get protection against both is to take the combined vaccine. The full series consists of three injections: the second dose can be given one month after the first, and the third dose six months after the first. 

If you have previously received either the hepatitis A or B vaccine series, you only need to complete the vaccine series for the other type. If you are unsure whether you have been vaccinated against hepatitis and cannot find out, it is recommended to take the combined vaccine series. It provides protection against both hepatitis A and B. Taking the vaccine series again is not harmful to your health. 

Where can you get the free vaccinations?

You can receive free vaccines for hepatitis A and B at your local public health center. However, some clinics may not be familiar with the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) guidelines that recommend free vaccines for hepatitis A and B for certain groups. If you are asked to pay for the vaccines even though you belong to this specific group, you can refer to the national vaccination programme and its guidelines. However, it should not be the client’s responsibility to ensure this. 

Here you can read guidelines from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) on hepatitis A and B vaccination for risk groups

If you are asked by the public health service whether you have sex with men, and you respond yes (or you openly mention it before being asked), you can get hepatitis A and B vaccines for free.