In Europe, Vaccines Can Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are increasingly spreading across Europe during the summer of 2025.

Every day, approximately one million people worldwide contract an STI.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has recently urged individuals at risk to stay informed about available vaccine options. In addition to chlamydia and syphilis, vaccines are available for gonorrhea, HPV, and mpox.

Following the multi-country outbreak of mpox clade II in May 2022, cases continue to be detected in many countries across Europe. The ECDC says there is a possibility of an increase in transmission during the summer, due to increased travel across Europe.

To address this health risk, the JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN®, IMVAMUNE®) vaccine is readily available in Europe and in the United States.

Recently, the United Kingdom's NHS announced that they are launching a vaccine program to prevent the recent increase in gonorrhoea cases. Data show that individuals who receive the meningococcal B disease vaccine 4CMenB (Bexsero) may be protected from gonorrhoea by up to 40%.

The ECDC also emphasises the importance of HPV vaccination to prevent various cancers, such as cervical cancer. Each year, there are around 33,000 cases of cervical cancer in the EU, and 15,000 deaths. 

Most children only need two doses of the Gardasil 9 HPV vaccine when vaccinated before the age of 15.

To assist Europeans when making vaccination decisions in July 2025, the Vaccine Scheduler shows vaccination schedules for individual EU/EEA countries and specific age groups.

This is an interactive tool that allows comparisons to be made between vaccination schedules of two countries, by disease for all countries, or for a selection of countries. 

In addition to these STI vaccines, the U.S. CDC publishes various Travel Health Advisories targeting Europe, which disclose where diseases, such as Chikungunya, are currently causing outbreaks in France, and or have become endemic in specific countries.

The CDC recommends international travelers speak with a travel vaccine consultant at least one month before departing abroad in 2025.