Catholic Diocese Rejects HPV Vaccination Campaigns in Schools

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan have reaffirmed its position against allowing HPV vaccination campaigns to be conducted on the premises of Catholic schools across Belize. On May 5, the Catholic Diocese issued a press release stating that they, and we quote, “will not permit any health officials or medical personnel to conduct HPV vaccination programmes on the grounds of our Catholic schools”. End of quote. The announcement comes amid ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Health and Wellness to promote HPV vaccinations among children, particularly students between the ages of 9 and 14. Today, Church Senator, Rev. Louis Wade joined the discussion and threw his support behind the Catholic Diocese position.

Rev’d Louis Wade, Churches Senator: “I do not speak on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church, the Norris School Management. I simply endorse their decision. I agree with their decision and the reasoning is that in the first instance underage children belong to parents, caring parents. And those parents place these children in the care of the school system management. Yes, government pays the teachers but the parents choose the school. The issue of giving this vaccine to children at school raises the most important question, which is parental consent. And I need to add the word “informed parental consent” because that is what management are interested in. It is one thing to send a letter home even with information and the parents tick a “yes” or “no” box but does that constitute an informed decision? So it is the Ministry of Health two weeks ago when we were talking about contraceptives across the country there was another uproar and the Ministry of Health was explaining why it was important for a professional medical officer to be present to explain the implications. And that’s for contraception. This is for a vaccine. So essentially what made the Ministry of Health flip so fast within two weeks that they are saying that you need an informed decision as it relates to contraception. But now when it comes to a vaccine, a simple tick of a yes or no. And so that’s why I support the church because it will allow the parents to take the child to a medical professional and a medical facility where their questions can be answered and then they can make an informed decision.”

The decision by the Roman Catholic Diocese has been at the center of discussion, with even the Special Envoy for women and children, Rossana Briceño chiming in, stating that while some individuals and religious institutions may have concerns about the HPV vaccine, protecting children from a preventable disease must remain a national priority.  /