banner photo, vaccinating kids against HPV saves lives

Addressing Canadian Catholic School Districts that Ban In-School HPV Vaccination

We are a group of citizens, physicians, health scientists, medical school professors, people affected by HPV infection and their family members who support public health by advocating for in-school HPV vaccination in Canadian publicly funded schools. HPV Canada is independent of pharmaceutical companies or groups.

In-school vaccination is the most just, effective and efficient system of vaccine delivery. It is the most accessible way for people of low socio-economic status to access the vaccine. Accessibility is important because people of low socio-economic status are most at risk of contracting the disease the vaccine helps prevent: cervical cancer.

In October 2012, there were twelve school districts in Canada that banned HPV vaccine. As of November 6, 2013, there are four.

In June, 2013, we encouraged the writing of a total of 7 letters from pediaticians, obstetricians, gynecologists, and other doctors and concerned citizen to each board that then banned the vaccine. These letters were sent to 9 school districts, translated into French where appropriate, and are included with the list below.

Such efforts have made a difference. They help school trustees understand that the stakes are high for the students in their care.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT NOW WELCOME HPV VACCINATION

  1. Calgary Catholic School District (Airdrie, Calgary, Chestemere, Cochrane)
    VOTED IN FAVOUR OF IN-SCHOOL VACCINATION ON NOVEMBER 28, 2012
    See separate webpage for details.

  2. Yellowknife Catholic School District
    VOTED IN FAVOUR OF IN-SCHOOL VACCINATION ON MAY 15, 2013
    Yellowknife Catholic school board votes to allow HPV shots, CBC, May 16, 2013

  3. Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools (Beaver Lodge, Grande Prairie, Sexsmith, Spirit River)
    VOTED IN FAVOUR OF IN-SCHOOL VACCINATION ON MAY 27, 2013
    GP Catholic schools to allow HPV vaccine, Daily Herald Tribune, May 28, 2013

  4. Christ the Redeemer Catholic Separate School Division (Brooks, Canmore, Drumheller, High River, Okotoks, Strathmore)
    Letters (click to expand)

    VOTED IN FAVOUR OF IN-SCHOOL VACCINATION ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2013
    The Western Wheel, October 17, 2013: Catholic school division to allow vaccine
    Health: HPV vaccine to be offered to Christ the Redeemer students

  5. Holy Spirit School Division (Coaldale, Lethbridge, Picture Butte, Pincher Creek, Taber)
    Letters (click to expand)

    VOTED IN FAVOUR SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
    Holy Spirit Roman Catholic School Division, What's new September 27, 2013
    Lethbridge Herald, September 28, 2013, Holy Spirit to allow HPV vaccine to be administered in schools
    Global News, Lethbridge, October 2, 2013, Holy Spirit will offer the HPV vaccine
    Lethbridge Herald, October 2, 2013, Holy Spirit HPV decision looks to safeguard health of students

  6. Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education (Bow Island, Medicine Hat)
    Letters (click to expand)
    (The Board considered the issue in February 2013 and voted against in-school HPV Vaccine administration)

    VOTED IN FAVOUR ON OCTOBER 8, 2013
    Medicine Hat News, October 9, 2013, Catholic board approves HPV vaccination,
    See also National Post, October 7, 2013, Alberta Catholic school board to reconsider ban on HPV vaccine that bishop says is used to 'palliate vices'
    National Post, October 3, 2013, HPV vaccinations go against 'wishes of the Magistarium,' Alberta Catholic school board head tells advocate

  7. Red Deer Catholic Regional Division (Innisfail, Olds, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House, Sylvan Lake)
    Letters (click to expand)

    VOTED IN FAVOUR, OCTOBER 8, 2013
    Red Deer Advocate, October 21, 2103, Catholic school board defers to AHS on HPV vaccine

  8. HALTON CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD: (Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville, Ontario - POPULATION 486,000) Letters (click to expand)

    VOTED IN FAVOUR, NOVEMBER 5, 2013

    We assisted the Region of Halton Catholic School Board, by presenting to the trustees prior to their vote on the matter on November 5, at 7:30 pm .
    Presentation to Halton Catholic School Board, November 5, 2013

FOUR REMAINING SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT BAN HPV VACCINATION (as at November 6, 2013)

  1. ELK ISLAND CATHOLIC SEPARATE SCHOOL BOARD (Camrose, Fort Saskatchewan, Sherwood Park, Vegreville) 15,620 19,051 61,660 5,758 - POPULATION: 102,089) Letters (click to expand)
  2. ST. THOMAS AQUINAS SCHOOL DISTRICT (Beaumont, Drayton Valley, Lacombe, Leduc, Ponoka and Wetaskiwin, Alberta - POPULATION 80,211) Letters (click to expand)
  3. LAKELAND ROMAN CATHOLIC SEPARATE SCHOOLS (Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Waskatenau, Alberta - POPULATION: 26,000) Letters (click to expand)
  4. EAST CENTRAL FRANCOPHONE EDUCATION REGION NO. 3 (Bonnyville, Cold Lake, St. Paul POPULATION: 21,000) Letters (click to expand)

(In addition, 34 Alberta private schools also prevented HPV vaccine from being administered in school. (Alberta Health Services, 2012))

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