By Belize Live News Staff: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize and Belmopan publicly supported the HPV vaccine rollout in Belize as far back as 2016, according to an official church letter circulated to schools, pastors, teachers and parents.
In the correspondence, church officials explained that representatives from the Belize Cancer Society and the Ministry of Health had met with Catholic leaders to discuss the vaccine’s role in preventing cervical cancer.
The letter stated that the Church reviewed Catholic medical guidance on immunization and concluded that the vaccine could contribute to the common good while remaining a personal choice for parents.
Church leaders also stressed the importance of educating parents about the vaccine, including its possible side effects and benefits, before consent forms were signed for students attending Catholic public schools.
