Belize Cancer Society expresses concern over HPV Vaccination decision by Catholic diocese
By Zoila Palma: On May 13, 2026, the Belize Cancer Society issued a statement expressing concern over a recent statement issued by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan regarding HPV vaccination activities on Catholic school compounds, saying the position appears to differ from previous collaborative agreements reached on cervical cancer prevention efforts […] The post Belize Cancer Society expresses concern over HPV Vaccination decision by Catholic diocese appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Black News 
By Zoila Palma: On May 13, 2026, the Belize Cancer Society issued a statement expressing concern over a recent statement issued by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan regarding HPV vaccination activities on Catholic school compounds, saying the position appears to differ from previous collaborative agreements reached on cervical cancer prevention efforts in Belize.
The Belize Cancer Society noted that cervical cancer remains a major public health issue and stressed the importance of continued national implementation of the HPV vaccine.
The Belize Cancer Society said it was “regrettable since Cervical Cancer has been designated as a major public health issue that requires national implementation of the HPV vaccine.”
The Society explained that in 2016 it worked alongside the Ministry of Health in nationwide consultations and educational discussions with Catholic Church leaders, school administrators, principals, teachers, and parents regarding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
Following those discussions, the Roman Catholic Chancery issued an official letter recognizing “the HPV vaccine as an important tool in protecting young women from HPV-related cervical cancer” and agreed to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and the Belize Cancer Society in facilitating access to the vaccine within Catholic public schools.
The Belize Cancer Society added that the agreement emphasized parental education, informed consent, and respect for parents’ right to decide whether their child would receive the vaccine.
The Belize Cancer Society reaffirmed its support for evidence-based public health initiatives, stating that it “remains steadfast in its commitment to evidence-based public health initiatives that save lives and reduce the burden of cancer in Belize.”
The Society further stated, “Citizens of Belize are entitled to health policies and decisions that are grounded in science, for the protection, health, and well-being of our nation’s children and families,” while noting that the HPV vaccine “has been widely used internationally with tremendous success” and continues to be supported by global medical and public health organizations as a safe and effective method of preventing HPV-related cancers.
The post Belize Cancer Society expresses concern over HPV Vaccination decision by Catholic diocese appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
