Petitioner: Jamie Rae on behalf of Throat Cancer Foundation
Status:
Closed
Date Lodged:
03 May 2013
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to extend the current Human Papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation programme in Scotland to include boys.
Summary:
11 June 2013: The Committee took evidence from Jamie Rae, Chief Executive, and Ewan Lumsden, Information and Support Manager, Throat Cancer Foundation. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, Health Protection Scotland, Cancer Research UK, Stonewall, Gay Men's Health, the Scottish Cancer Coalition, Professor Heather Cubie, University of Edinburgh and Professor Margaret Stanley, University of Cambridge. Link to Official Report 11 June 2013 (576KB pdf)
Below: Jamie Rae giving evidence on 11 June 2013
1 October 2013: The Committee agreed to seek submissions from those who had not responded to the Committee’s request for views. Link to Official Report 1 October 2013 (477KB pdf)
10 December 2013: The Committee agreed to write to the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation and the Scottish Government. Link to Official Report 10 December 2013 (425KB pdf)
4 March 2014: The Committee agreed to await the minutes of the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation February 2014 meeting and consider the petition once the minutes are available. Link to Official Report 4 March 2014 (403KB pdf)
25 November 2014: The Committee agreed to seek the petitioner's views on the JCVI’s interim statement and then to consider the petition again once the consultation is complete and the JCVI has issued formal guidance. Link to Official Report 25 November 2014
31 March 2015: The Committee agreed to consider the petition again once the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation issues formal advice on Human Papillomavirus vaccination for men who have sex with men. Link to Official Report 31 March 2015
12 January 2016: The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the petition to its next meeting. Link to Official Report 12 January 2016
26 January 2016: The Committee agreed to write to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Link to Official Report 26 January 2016
8 March 2016: The Committee agreed to include the petition in its legacy paper for consideration by the Session 5 Public Petitions Committee. In doing so, the Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. Link to Official Report 8 March 2016
30 June 2016: The Committee agreed to refer the petition, under Rule 15.6.2 of the Parliament's Standing Orders, to the Health and Sport Committee for further consideration. Link to Official Report 30 June 2016
Written Submissions:
Gender Neutral Vaccination will protect Scottish citizens from a host of Human Papillomavirus related diseases including several cancers which can be fatal. Why is Human Papillomavirus vaccination not offered to all 12 year old boys in Scotland as a matter of urgency? Not vaccinating boys is a danger to public health and also is discriminatory.
By not vaccinating males the Scottish Government is failing to offer the best and most adequate protection for all. The policy can be seen as particularly discriminatory against gay men and men who have sex with men. Why should MSM not be offered the same protection as the rest of Scotland's citizens?
Human Papillomavirus vaccination is most effective when administered before sexual activity begins and therefore should be offered at the same age as females currently get the vaccine. Why offer the vaccine to sexually active men who have sex with men when it would be more effective administered at school age?
Medical experts have already signed this petition stating that a gender nuetral vaccination policy will save lives. These are medical professionals dealing with the harsh reality of Human Papillomavirus related diseases. Can we afford to ignore their advice?
Australia, Canada and the USA currently recommend gender nuetral vaccination and Scotland should not be lagging behind when it comes to protecting people from Human Papillomavirus. Australia begins vaccinating boys in April 2013. Why is Scotland not living up to it's repuatation as a progressive and equal society?