Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Vaccination

Anne Main
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce human papilloma virus immunisation for females aged 12 years and above in England; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is in the process of thoroughly examining the vaccine safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness evidence concerning human papilloma virus vaccines. The work is being taken forward by a sub-group of JCVI, with further work ongoing to evaluate whether the vaccine is considered to be a cost-effective prevention of cervical cancer; and the impact that HPV vaccine may have on genital warts.

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

No decisions will be taken on introducing these vaccines into the immunisation programme until JCVI has presented its advice to Ministers for their consideration.