Gender-neutral Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (PE1477)
We move swiftly on to agenda item 2, which we will consider in public before moving into private session.
PE1477 calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to extend the current HPV immunisation programme in Scotland to include boys. The committee is invited to consider our next steps in relation to the petition. Committee members will be aware that the Government has acted to change the law as has been suggested. Are members content to close the petition?
I congratulate the petitioners. David Torrance and I were both members of the Public Petitions Committee when the petition was lodged—it was so many years ago that I have forgotten when. The key point is that it is important to have a gender-neutral vaccination. The UK-wide authorisation is a very positive move. The development has been evidence led, but it also shows the strength of the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee. I am delighted that we can see the end in sight.
I agree. I record that I might know the petitioner: I know someone called Jamie Rae, although I do not know whether it is the same person.
Okay. Do members agree to close the petition?
Members indicated agreement.
Thank you.
12:01 Meeting continued in private until 12:25.