A group of doctors is pushing for Calgary's Catholic School Board to offer the public funded HPV vaccine in schools.

Calgary Catholic Bishop, Fred Henry has taken the position that it is not appropriate to offer the vaccine to grade five students in the Catholic system.

If parents want their girls to get the public funded vaccine, they have to do it on their own, by making arrangements at a public health clinic.

Experts say not allowing the public vaccination program in the school has drastically affected vaccination rates. When offered in the schools 70% of the students offered HPV vaccine get the shots.  When it's not offered, only 18% get the vaccination.

The Calgary Catholic School Board says it takes direction on this from the Bishop, who worries vaccinating girls against a sexually transmitted disease confuses the church's message about chastitiy.

Physicians lobbying the Catholic Board say promiscuity and preventing cervical cancer are not linked.

Not all Catholic schools in Alberta refuse to deliver HPV vaccinations, Edmonton’s Catholic schools do it, and the percentage of students receiving it is the same as in public schools.

Alberta girls in Grade 5 to Grade 9 may obtain the HPV vaccine for free.

Please contact one of these Calgary public health clinics for free HPV vaccine:

  • Acadia Community Health Centre
    403-944-7200
    151 86 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta T2H 3A5
  • East Calgary Health Centre
    403-955-1250
    2nd Floor, 4715 8 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta T2A 3N4
  • Ranchlands Village Mall
    403-943-9700
  • #109, Northwest Community Health Centre
    829 Ranchlands Boulevard NW, Calgary, Alberta T3G 2A7
  • Shaganappi Complex
    403-944-7373
    3415 8 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T3C 0E8
  • Sheldon Chumir
    403-943-1250
    1213 4 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta T2R 0X7
  • South Calgary
    403-943-9500
    31 Sunpark Plaza SE, Calgary, Alberta T2X 3W5
  • Thornhill Library/Community Heath Centre
    403-944-7500
    6617 Centre Street N, Calgary, Alberta T2K 4Y5
  • Village Square Community Health Centre
    403-944-7000
    2623 56 Street NE, Calgary, Alberta T1Y 6E7