321Go!
Ready, get vaxxed, go!
Aged 16 to 25?
Get ready to play
One of the best things about being young is how many different ways there are to meet new folks and get down to business.
Whether you’re hooking up, hanging out, or just looking to meet that special someone, it’s important to look out for your own health and wellbeing. Alongside getting set for the main event with your standard routine — whether that’s condoms, PrEP, or HIV meds — getting up-to-date with your vaccines is a great way to get ready to play.
And for that, it’s as easy as 321Go!
Getting up to speed with your vaccines can help to protect from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and are available at NHS sexual health clinics. If you’re aged 16-25 and in an eligible group, we recommend:
Three shots of the Hepatitis A/B vaccine.
This is usually available as a combo vaccine.
3
Two shots of the Mpox (monkeypox) vaccine.
2
One shot of the HPV vaccine.
1
You’re all set!
Go!
All you need to know.
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AM I ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ALL OF THESE?
You are eligible to receive all the vaccinations recommended by 321Go! if you are either:
A gay/bi/queer man (including trans men) OR
A non-binary person assigned male at birth who has sex with men OR
A trans woman who has sex with men
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IS IT FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL?
NHS sexual health services, including the vaccines we recommend, are free and confidential for everyone to use - including overseas students and people with insecure immigration status. NHS sexual health clinics, by law, cannot share your information without your permission (including to your family doctor or GP). They can only share details about you with other authorities if they believe there are safeguarding issues (such as concerns about abuse, neglect, or modern slavery).
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WHAT DETAILS DO I NEED TO PROVIDE?
You do not have to give your real name when you visit a sexual health clinic. You’ll only need to provide a postcode, and some means of contacting you, such as an email address or a phone number. This way, the clinic can contact you and provide the support and care that you might need.
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CAN I GET MY VACCINES ALL AT ONCE?
We like your efficiency! In general there is no risk to getting more than one of your vaccines at the same time but it might not be possible to get all your shots at once. The person giving you your vaccines may recommend no more than two at a time, with one shot in each arm.
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WHAT ABOUT INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER MEDICINES?
You can continue to take your HIV meds, HIV PrEP, antibiotics (including DoxyPEP) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) when you get your Hep A/B, Mpox, and HPV vaccines.
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WHAT DOES A VACCINE SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?
Except for the HPV vaccine, you’ll usually need boosters a couple of weeks or months after your first shot to ensure the most effectiveness from the vaccines. While it might sound difficult, you can use our calendar to keep track of your shots!
THREE: For the Hep A/B combo vaccine, you can get your second shot 4 weeks after the first, and the third shot 6 months after the first.
TWO: You can get your second Mpox shot at least 4 weeks after your first.
ONE: If you’re under 25, you’ll only need one HPV shot. Some trans men may need two shots, with the second at least 6 months after the first.
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WHAT IF I CAN’T GET ALL MY SHOTS?
Completing the vaccine courses offers you maximum protection, but even one shot of a vaccine can do a lot to protect you getting a preventable STI. Don’t hesitate to get the shots you can even if you’re unsure about being able to get all of them.
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WHAT IF I GET MY HEPATITIS SHOTS AS SINGLE VACCINES?
That’s OK! Not every clinic will be able to provide the combination Hep A/B vaccine. If that’s the case, you can still get the vaccines for Hep A and Hep B as individual shots, instead of a combination one. If this happens, your vaccine schedule for Hep A/B could look like this:
Two shots of the Hep A vaccine, 6-18 months apart.
Three shots of the Hep B vaccine, with the second and third shots taken 1 and 6 months after the first.
Have a look at the links below to find out what your local sexual health clinic can provide, and whether single or combination injections are available for you.
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I GOT A HPV SHOT WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, DO I NEED TO GET ANOTHER?
If you got your first HPV shot aged around 12-13, you won’t need to get a second dose, unless your doctor suggests otherwise.