Catholic Church Defends HPV Vaccine Position

The Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan has addressed the growing discussion over its position on the HPV vaccine on its school compounds.

The Church said in its latest statement, “The Church affirms the value of the HPV vaccine and recognises that it is ethically acceptable.” It added that the Church is not against the vaccine but instead against the school as the place where the decision gets made.

It argues that a school-based rollout is not the appropriate model for a vaccine tied to a sexually transmitted infection. The Ministry of Health and Wellness has previously advised that nurses and other medical professionals are dispatched to visit schools nationwide to administer the vaccine.

At the centre of the Church’s concern is informed consent. The Diocese insists that parents must have genuine access to full medical information, “free from pressure or coercion.”

“Decisions regarding HPV vaccination are best made within the clinical setting, where parents-who possess rights and responsibilities for the care of their children-can exercise informed consent in collaboration with trusted medical professionals, in accord with their moral and cultural values,” it added.

The Church also pointed out that while Gardasil 9 offers strong protection, “it does not cover every cancer-causing HPV strain present in our region.” 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “There are over 200 strains of HPV. Gardasil 9 is designed to target the 9 most significant types that cause cancer and genital warts.”

While it said it remains open to working with the Ministry of Health, with both sides sharing the same goal of protecting children’s wellbeing, the Church did not change its position on the matter.

The ministry maintains that the vaccination rollout is an important nationwide initiative.