Short answer
America’s STI vaccine arsenal is powerful but partial: HPV (Gardasil 9) and hepatitis B vaccines prevent millions of infections and cancers with long safety records; hepatitis A and mpox vaccines cover sexually associated risks in specific populations; and the biggest remaining targets (HIV, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) await science with trials continuing.
Verify and complete the routine two at every sexual-health visit. They are the highest-yield prevention available.
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See Tests & Prices →Licensed and routine. The core two
Gardasil 9 covers nine HPV types (the seven highest-risk cancer types plus the two commonest wart types), given from ages 9–12 routinely with catch-up through 26 and shared decision-making to 45.
Hepatitis B series runs from birth through adult catch-up (three or two doses by formulation), protecting against a sexually and blood-transmitted liver pathogen.
Both carry decades-scale safety data across hundreds of millions of doses with durable, likely lifelong protection.
Pharmacies and clinics stock both. Initiation on the spot beats referral slips that expire.
Schedules and access pair with youth prevention at STI Prevention for Young Adults.
Adjacent-risk vaccines. Who else needs what
Hepatitis A (recommended for MSM, travelers to endemic regions, outbreak settings. Sexually transmissible via oral-anal contact).
Mpox (Jynneos) (MSM networks during outbreaks, occupational risk including healthcare and lab workers).
Both are relevant to sexual-health planning in their populations and worth assessing at prevention visits rather than discovered during outbreaks.
Travel and outbreak guidance updates per CDC notices. Check currency yearly.
The missing list. Honest status
HIV, HSV-1/HSV-2, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis: no licensed vaccines.
Gonorrhea is furthest along (candidates in trials, with meningococcal B vaccines showing cross-protection signals under study).
HIV trials continue after decades of effort: PrEP, PEP, condoms, and treatment-as-prevention cover prevention meanwhile.
Trial participation through clinicaltrials.gov listings accelerates timelines for those interested; discuss eligibility with research sites directly.
Status-check habits. Never assume immunity
- Vaccine-record review at every sexual-health visit (bring records or check immunization registries. “I think I got those” is worth verifying).
- Catch-up initiation on the spot where gaps surface.
- Travel and outbreak updates per current CDC notices.
Documented immunity beats remembered immunity every time.
When to seek care
To verify and complete HPV/hepatitis B series, for hepatitis A/mpox eligibility assessment, and for trial referrals where interested.