To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) to make a recommendation as to whether a national immunisation programme for the human papilloma virus should be implemented; and on which dates the JCVI human papilloma virus subgroup (a) has met and (b) is expected to meet in 2007. (131863)

No decisions will be taken on introducing human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines into the immunisation programme until the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has presented its advice to Ministers for their consideration.

The JCVI is in the process of thoroughly examining the vaccine safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness evidence concerning HPV vaccines. The work is being taken forward by a sub-group of JCVI, which met in May and September (2006) and in February 2007. Further meetings of the sub-group will be scheduled as required.

The sub group’s advice will be reported to the main JCVI committee for their consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether she has held discussions with the Department for Education and Skills on the possible implementation of a schools-based vaccination programme for human papilloma virus vaccine; (132824)

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.

Schools-based vaccination programmes have been previously used; for example the Men C vaccination campaign started in 1999 and the measles-rubella catch-up campaign in 1994.