Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the evaluation framework of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation reflects the full economic and societal value of vaccination.

As an independent Departmental Expert Committee, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advises the Department on matters related to vaccination and immunisation. The JCVI bases its advice and recommendations on evidence of the burden of disease, of vaccine safety and efficacy, and of the impact and cost-effectiveness of immunisation strategies.

The cost-effectiveness analysis which is presented to the JCVI for its consideration does not include broader socio-economic factors such as productivity costs from illness, improved educational attainment from reduced school absences, or out-of-pocket expenses and opportunity costs from attending a vaccination. However, these impacts may be highlighted by the JCVI or by officials who provide advice to ministers.