Government Pushes Ahead with HPV Vaccine Despite Church’s Opposition

The debate over the HPV vaccine is intensifying, but Cabinet is standing firm. Despite pushback from Catholic Diocesan Schools, the government says it will continue rolling out its national, school-based HPV vaccination program, framing it as a critical step in protecting the health of women, girls, and children. At Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, the issue took center stage. In a statement, officials underscored that the vaccine helps guard against cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases, conditions that remain a serious public health concern in Belize. Today, Prime Minister John Briceño weighed in, adding his voice to a discussion that’s quickly gaining national attention.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Why do you want to put me in trouble with my wife? On a serious note, again we brought it up in Cabinet and we are seriously concerned. But, we are supporting our young women, our young girls and women to have access to this vaccine. It is protecting them against cervical cancer, so we support that.”

 

The Ministry of Health and Wellness continues to offer the HPV vaccine for free through school programs and health centers nationwide, mainly targeting children between ages ten and fourteen.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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