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<p>We recognise the seriousness of this issue, and the Advisory Committee on Cervical
Screening will be convening this month and will be discussing coverage on cervical
screening at this meeting.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The commissioning and provision
of Human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation, including addressing inequalities, is
a matter for local determination between relevant local health organisations. These
arrangements are underpinned by a national framework which specifies the levels of
service to be provided. Within this framework the Secretary of State places a legal
responsibility on NHS England to ensure that HPV immunisation providers are commissioned
so that “they maintain and improve current immunisation coverage with the aim of 100%
of relevant individuals being offered immunisation”.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>As
I have previously stated in the debate on 1 May 2014, <em>Official Report </em>column
1051, although this country has amongst the highest rates of HPV vaccine coverage
in the world and this is to be welcomed, we cannot be complacent, and we want to get
the fullest possible coverage. NHS England has a robust assurance process to look
at outliers and variation across England and to support local teams in “ensuring efforts
are made to include as part of the programme girls from communities with objections
on family or religious beliefs to immunisation and hard to reach groups, which may
include looked after children and girls from traveller communities. Health professionals
must take all opportunities, particularly those contacts during the early years to
remind parents and carers of the importance of immunisations and the need to have
them at the appropriate times.”</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>
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