Scottish Girls Will Be Given The HPV Vaccine But Denied Safe Sex Literature

Buy an ad on DigitalJournal.com

The reason behind the lack of information is a deal struck by Scottish health officials and the Catholic Church. The church backing the vaccine though is a big step. In the past it has raised objections to the shot because of an ideal that the vaccine would lead to promiscuity.

The vaccine will be given to 12 and 13-year-olds at every Scottish school in September. The hope is that cervical cancer deaths can be reduced by stopping the human papilloma virus in its tracks. The virus is a known cause of cervical cancer. It is passed on during sex.

The Catholic Church allowed for the vaccine of their students but only if additional information about safe sex and the use of condoms was not part of the shots.

Parent groups and health campaigners are opposed to the deal. They warn that by not giving the additional information some girls may not understand that the vaccine only covers two strains of HPV and not other sexually transmitted diseases.

Those opposed to denying the girls with information on safe sex and the use of condoms believe that a key element of the vaccine is being taken away.

As Scotman.com reports

Justine Roberts, co-founder of Mumsnet, said parents would be annoyed by the omission. She said: "The moral position is being imposed upon them. It seems a bit archaic to let the Catholic Church decide on this."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "The HPV vaccine is about saving lives and protecting future generations of young girls from cervical cancer.

"Scottish Government officials consulted with many stakeholders and undertook research with parents and girls to ensure the right level of information was included in the leaflet. The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to promoting safer sex, and we are taking forward our sexual health strategy 'Respect and Responsibility'."