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McGuinty Scolds Catholic School Board for Refusing to Allow HPV Vaccine

Posted on: Wednesday, 4 June 2008, 18:00 CDT

By THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO - Premier Dalton McGuinty is scolding trustees at the Halton Roman Catholic school board for refusing to allow an HPV vaccine program in schools.

The board reversed an earlier decision Tuesday night and decided public health nurses would not be allowed in Halton Catholic schools to administer the HPV vaccine to girls in Grade 8.

The human papilloma virus is contracted only through sexual activity and is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women.

McGuinty says, speaking as a parent, he's disappointed with the trustees.

He says the HPV vaccine "is the right thing to do for our daughters."

McGuinty says the province can't force school boards to participate in the vaccination program, but can make sure parents are informed and that the vaccine is covered under public health care.

Halton trustees also voted to have the board increase its efforts to impress on students that abstinence before marriage was an important feature of the Catholic faith.

Many Catholic boards across Ontario have struggled with the HPV controversy since the province announced a $39-million vaccination program for Grade 8 girls last July.

British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador also offer the HPV vaccine to students.

HPV is quite common, especially among younger women.

The anti-HPV vaccine Gardasil currently on the Canadian market is licensed for use in females aged nine through 26.

Source: Canadian Press

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