The Department is seeking advice on the new human papilloma virus vaccine from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which is an independent expert advisory committee. Ministers will consider advice from JCVI when it is forthcoming, and will consider issues regarding implementation.
Qualitative research has been conducted by the Department and other health behaviour research groups to explore the response of parents to the introduction of human papilloma virus vaccine for young girls and boys and adolescents. This work has been published (Noakes et al, “Human Vaccines” 2006).
The information requested has been placed in the Library.
Officials have not had meetings with manufacturers to discuss vaccine availability.