Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the gender imbalance in the take up of the HPV vaccine in schools between girls and boys.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was first offered to males in school Year 8 in the 2019/20 academic year. School-aged immunisation providers have been hosting educational activities, such as school assemblies, to educate boys about the benefits of the HPV programme.

NHS England’s Regional Public Health Commissioners work with providers and local authorities to identify any inequalities or variations in uptake and coverage and take appropriate action. Continued public and professional communication campaigns for HPV and other vaccinations are planned throughout the year.