You can get STD-related vaccines at most primary care offices, pharmacies, local health departments, Planned Parenthood clinics, and community health centers. The main vaccines that protect against sexually transmitted infections are the HPV vaccine, the hepatitis B vaccine, the hepatitis A vaccine, and, for certain groups, the mpox (monkeypox) vaccine. Where you go depends on your age, insurance status, and which vaccine you need.
Which Vaccines Protect Against STDs
Three vaccines are routinely recommended for preventing sexually transmitted infections, and a fourth is available for specific risk groups:
- HPV vaccine: Protects against human papillomavirus, the most common STI in the United States and a leading cause of cervical, throat, and anal cancers, plus genital warts. Routine vaccination is now recommended at ages 9 to 12, with catch-up vaccination through age 26. Adults aged 27 to 45 can get it through a shared decision with their doctor, though it’s most beneficial for people who haven’t yet been exposed to HPV.
- Hepatitis B vaccine: Protects against a virus spread through sexual contact, shared needles, and childbirth. The CDC recommends universal hepatitis B vaccination for all adults aged 19 to 59, including pregnant individuals. Adults 60 and older with risk factors should also be vaccinated, and those without known risk factors can still choose to receive it.
- Hepatitis A vaccine: Hepatitis A spreads through close personal contact, including sexual contact. Vaccination is especially recommended for men who have sex with men, people who use or inject drugs, people with chronic liver disease (including hepatitis B or C), people with HIV, and international travelers.
- Mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS): Recommended for people at higher risk for mpox, including gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who in the past six months have had multiple sex partners, a new STD diagnosis, or sex at a commercial venue. It’s also recommended after known or suspected exposure to someone with mpox.
Primary Care Doctors and Pharmacies
Your regular doctor’s office is one of the simplest places to get any of these vaccines. If you’re due for a routine visit or physical, you can ask about STD-related vaccines at the same appointment. Most providers keep HPV and hepatitis B vaccines in stock year-round.
Retail pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid also administer vaccines, often without needing an appointment. Pharmacists in all 50 states can give vaccines to adults, and many can vaccinate adolescents as well, though age cutoffs vary by state. Pharmacies are a convenient option if you don’t have a primary care doctor or want to skip the office visit. The mpox vaccine is less commonly stocked at pharmacies, so you may need to call ahead or look at a different location for that one.
Sexual Health and Planned Parenthood Clinics
Planned Parenthood health centers offer the HPV vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine at many locations, along with flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Not every center carries every vaccine, so check with your nearest location before visiting. Sexual health clinics run by local or county health departments often provide the same vaccines, sometimes at reduced cost or on a sliding fee scale based on income.
These clinics can be a good fit if you’d prefer to get vaccinated in a setting that already handles STD testing and sexual health care. You can often bundle a vaccine visit with screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, or HIV.
Local Health Departments
City and county health departments are one of the most affordable options, especially during outbreak responses. Many offer hepatitis A and B vaccines at no cost during community outbreaks, and some keep the HPV vaccine available for eligible adolescents and young adults. During mpox outbreaks, local health departments are typically the primary distribution point for the JYNNEOS vaccine, sometimes hosting pop-up clinics or walk-in events at community venues.
You can find your local health department through the CDC’s website or by searching your county name plus “health department vaccines.”
What Insurance Covers
Under the Affordable Care Act, most private health insurance plans must cover recommended preventive vaccines with no copay and no deductible when you receive them from an in-network provider. This includes the HPV vaccine, hepatitis A vaccine, and hepatitis B vaccine, as long as you meet the age and risk-factor guidelines set by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The only exception is grandfathered plans that existed before March 23, 2010, and have never been updated, which are not required to cover preventive services.
Medicare Part D covers many vaccines, and Medicaid covers recommended vaccines for most enrollees, though specific coverage details vary by state. If you’re getting vaccinated at a pharmacy, confirm it’s in your insurance network before your visit to avoid unexpected charges.
Options if You’re Uninsured or Underinsured
If you don’t have insurance, you still have several paths to affordable vaccination. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are community clinics that serve patients regardless of ability to pay, using a sliding fee scale tied to income. You can find one near you at the Health Resources and Services Administration’s website (findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov).
For children and teens under 19, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides free vaccines to those who are uninsured, enrolled in Medicaid, American Indian or Alaska Native, or underinsured (meaning their insurance doesn’t fully cover vaccines). Underinsured children can receive VFC vaccines specifically at FQHCs or Rural Health Clinics. This program covers both the HPV and hepatitis B vaccines, which means adolescents in these groups can get their STD-related vaccinations at no cost.
Some vaccine manufacturers also run patient assistance programs for uninsured adults. Your local health department or community health center can help you navigate these options and may offer vaccines at reduced prices directly.
HPV Vaccine for Adults Over 26
If you’re between 27 and 45 and haven’t been vaccinated against HPV, the vaccine isn’t automatically recommended, but it’s available through what the CDC calls “shared clinical decision-making.” This means you and your doctor discuss whether the vaccine makes sense for your situation. Adults with fewer previous sexual partners tend to benefit more, since they’re less likely to have already been exposed to the virus. Those with more partners may have already encountered HPV, reducing the vaccine’s potential benefit.
If you and your provider decide to move forward, the series is three doses given over six months. One important note: insurance plans are required to cover vaccines that are routinely recommended, but shared clinical decision-making vaccines may not be covered without cost-sharing. Check with your insurer before scheduling, as you could face out-of-pocket costs for the HPV vaccine after age 26.