Written question asked by Baroness Walmsley (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 12 July 2016, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 26 July 2016. It was answered by Lord Prior of Brampton (Conservative) on Thursday, 21 July 2016 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Human Papillomavirus: Vaccination

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the advice by Professors Stanley, Lawler, Graham, and others, to extend HPV vaccinations to boys to curb the spread of throat and other cancers.

Answer: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, the expert committee that advises Ministers on immunisation related issues, is currently in the process of considering the impact and cost-effectiveness of extending the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination to adolescent boys. This includes assessing all the necessary evidence and information on the potential impact of a boys vaccination programme on non-cervical cancers caused by HPV.

Secondary information