UK: School refuses 'cancer vaccine'

[Guest guest]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7633761.stm

School refuses 'cancer vaccine'

A Roman Catholic school has banned its pupils from receiving the new

cervical cancer vaccine on its premises.

Governors at St 's High School in Prestwich, Greater Manchester,

believe the school is " not the right place " to administer the injections.

The government-sponsored vaccinations prevent the sexually-transmitted Human

Papilloma Virus (HPV), which prevents 70% of cervical cancers.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls said schools had a " responsibility " on health.

The vaccine is given in three injections over six months and is being

offered to all female year-eight pupils.

Experts believe vaccinating against HPV could save hundreds of lives in the

UK each year.

The programme has already started in some parts of the country, including

Oldham, and pupils in Bury are expected to begin vaccinations over the next

few weeks.

Advice from the Roman Catholic Church says there is nothing wrong with

allowing the cervical cancer vaccinations to be given.

But governors at St 's - which has 1,200 pupils - have sent a letter

to parents outlining their concerns about the vaccine.

In it, they question the effectiveness of the injections and possible side

effects.

The letter says a number of the school's pupils who took part in a pilot

study were subsequently off school suffering from nausea, joint pain,

headaches and high fevers.

Schools 'responsibility'

It states: " We do not believe that school is the right place for the three

injections to be administered.

" Therefore, governors have taken the decision not to allow the school

premises to be used for this programme. "

The school's head teacher McCarron said he could not comment on the

governors' decision.

Although some religious groups are opposed to the vaccine because of fears

it may encourage promiscuity, the governors make no moral objection to the

programme.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Salford said: " The diocese and Catholic

schools board do not have a moral objection, but it is up to individual

schools to decide whether to allow the vaccinations to be carried out in

school. "

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, Mr Balls said the vaccine would help

hundreds of children across the UK.

Mr Balls said: " In general the vast majority of schools will be delivering

these vaccinations and they will be doing so to save lives.

" I think schools should be at the centre of their community and I don't think

schools walking away from their responsibility for children's health is the way

to go. "