By Breaking Belize News Staff: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan has issued a statement affirming its support for the value of the HPV vaccine, while raising concern over the use of a standardized school-based vaccination model.
In a statement dated May 14, 2026, the Catholic Chancery Office said the Church recognizes that the HPV vaccine is ethically acceptable and affirms parents as the primary decision-makers in their children’s healthcare.
The Diocese said its concerns are not about the vaccine itself, but about “proportionality, parental rights, informed consent, and the sensitive moral context surrounding a sexually transmitted infection.”
According to the statement, decisions regarding HPV vaccination are best made in a clinical setting, where parents can receive adequate medical information, ask questions, and make informed choices in collaboration with trusted medical professionals.
The Diocese also noted that while Gardasil 9 offers strong protection against several major HPV strains, it does not cover every cancer-causing HPV strain present in the region. The Church said this highlights the need for a holistic approach that includes medical prevention, regular screening, and moral formation.
The Diocese said it remains committed to working in partnership with the Ministry of Health while upholding what it described as the dignity and well-being of children and families.
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By Breaking Belize News Staff: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan has issued a statement affirming its support for the value of the HPV vaccine, while raising concern over the use of a standardized school-based vaccination model. In a statement dated May 14, 2026, the Catholic Chancery Office said the Church recognizes
The post Catholic Diocese backs HPV vaccine, urges informed consent over school-based model appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
