Immunizations for 2SLGBTQIA+ Individuals
Immunization plays an important role in maintaining your overall health and in preventing the spread of infections and diseases within communities. In Ontario, immunization against certain infections and diseases is recommended and free based on age and other individual factors such as lifestyle and health conditions.
Eligibility
It is recommended that all individuals receive the immunizations that are recommended for their age. 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals may also be eligible for free immunization against the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and infectious diseases listed in the table below. Visit the Health Unit’s STIs and infectious diseases webpages for more information, including how they spread, the symptoms, and other ways to protect yourself.
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Who is eligible for free immunization? |
Hepatitis A |
- Individuals who use intravenous drugs
- Individuals with chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B and C
- Men who have sex with men
|
Hepatitis B |
- Students starting in Grade 7 until the time they finish high school
- Individuals who live in the same house or have sexual contact with others who are chronic carriers or acutes cases
- Individuals who use intravenous drugs
- Individuals with chronic liver disease, including hepatitis C
- Men who have sex with men
- Individuals with multiple sex partners
- Individuals who experienced a needle stick injury in a non-health care setting
|
Human Papillomavirus |
- Students starting in Grade 7 until the time they finish high school
- Males 9 to 26 years old who have sex with men who did not already receive the immunization as a student
|
Meningococcal |
Meningococcal B
- Individuals 2 months to 17 years of age who have HIV
Meningococcal ACYW
- Students starting in Grade 7
- Individuals born in or after 1997 who did not already receive the immunization as a student
- Individuals 9 months and older who have HIV
|
Mpox |
Pre-exposure immunization (i.e. before a known exposure) is free for:
- Two-spirited, non-binary, trans- or cis-gender, intersex, or gender-queer individuals who self-identify or have sexual partners who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual, pansexual and other men who have sex with men community AND who meet 1 or more of the following:
- Had a confirmed STI within the last year;
- Have or are planning to have 2 or more sexual partners or are in a relationship where at least 1 of the partners may have other sexual partners;
- Have attended venues for sexual contact (e.g. bath houses, sex clubs) recently or may be planning to, or who work/volunteer in these settings; and/or
- Have had anonymous sex (e.g. using hookup apps) or may be planning to or are a sexual contact of an individual who engages in sex work
- Individuals who are a sexual contact of someone who meets the criteria above
- Individuals who self-identify as engaging in sex work or are planning to, regardless of self-identified sex or gender
- Staff or volunteers in sex-on-premises venues where workers may have contact with items potentially contaminated with mpox
- Individuals who engage in sex tourism (regardless of gender, sex assigned at birth, or sexual orientation)
- Individuals who anticipate experiencing any of the above scenarios
The following individuals should contact the Health Unit for more information about eligibility:
- Household and/or sexual contacts of those identified for pre-exposure vaccination eligibility above who are also moderately to severely immunocompromised, or pregnant may be at high risk for severe illness from mpox infection and may be considered for pre-exposure vaccine.
- Individuals who self-identify as a high-risk contact of a confirmed or probably case of mpox.
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Pneumococcal |
- Individuals 6 weeks and older with HIV or chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B and C
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Where to Get Immunized
Primary Care Provider Office or Walk-in Clinic
- Individuals can receive the free immunizations (except Mpox*) they are eligible for at their primary care provider’s office or at a walk-in clinic. You do not require a prescription for any immunizations that you are eligible to receive for free.
Health Unit STI Clinic
- If you do not have a primary care provider, are not able to go to a walk-in clinic, or are eligible for Mpox immunization*, call the Health Unit at 519-663-5317 to schedule an appointment in the STI Clinic.
*Mpox immunization is only available in Middlesex-London at the Health Unit’s STI clinic.
Questions
Contact the Health Unit at 519-663-5317.
Date of creation: June 25, 2025
Last modified on: June 25, 2025