What its position is on extending the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme to all 12 and 13-year-old boys before 2017 on the gr…

The main aim of the current HPV vaccination programme is to protect girls against cervical cancer, rather than protecting against the risks associated with HPV overall. Vaccinating girls also helps to stop the spread of HPV to boys. When enough people are immunised this generates herd immunity and helps to protect vulnerable members of the community.
As with all vaccination programmes, the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) continues to monitor all available evidence in respect of recommendations and advice can be updated if new information or evidence becomes available. The JCVI has agreed that further work is required to consider the vaccination of adolescent males. Modelling work and the impact of cost effectiveness of this programme will be taken forward in early 2015 by Public Health England and the JCVI will provide recommendations in due course. The Scottish Government, as with other UK health departments, takes advice on immunisation from the JCVI and will of course consider carefully any future JCVI recommendations in respect of HPV vaccination for adolescent males.