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| School refuses 'cancer vaccine' | School refuses 'cancer vaccine' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A Roman Catholic school has banned its pupils from receiving the new cervical cancer vaccine on its premises. | A Roman Catholic school has banned its pupils from receiving the new cervical cancer vaccine on its premises. |
| Governors at St Monica's High School in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, believe the school is "not the right place" to administer the injections. | Governors at St Monica's High School in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, believe the school is "not the right place" to administer the injections. |
| The government-sponsored vaccinations prevent the sexually-transmitted Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which prevents 70% of cervical cancers. | The government-sponsored vaccinations prevent the sexually-transmitted Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which prevents 70% of cervical cancers. |
| Schools Secretary Ed Balls said schools had a "responsibility" on health. | Schools Secretary Ed Balls said schools had a "responsibility" on health. |
| The vaccine is given in three injections over six months and is being offered to all female year-eight pupils. | The vaccine is given in three injections over six months and is being offered to all female year-eight pupils. |
| Experts believe vaccinating against HPV could save hundreds of lives in the UK each year. | Experts believe vaccinating against HPV could save hundreds of lives in the UK each year. |
| We do not believe that school is the right place for the three injections to be administered. Governors' letter | We do not believe that school is the right place for the three injections to be administered. Governors' letter |
| The programme has already started in some parts of the country, including Oldham, and pupils in Bury are expected to begin vaccinations over the next few weeks. | The programme has already started in some parts of the country, including Oldham, and pupils in Bury are expected to begin vaccinations over the next few weeks. |
| Advice from the Roman Catholic Church says there is nothing wrong with allowing the cervical cancer vaccinations to be given. | Advice from the Roman Catholic Church says there is nothing wrong with allowing the cervical cancer vaccinations to be given. |
| But governors at St Monica's - which has 1,200 pupils - have sent a letter to parents outlining their concerns about the vaccine. | But governors at St Monica's - which has 1,200 pupils - have sent a letter to parents outlining their concerns about the vaccine. |
| In it, they question the effectiveness of the injections and possible side effects. | In it, they question the effectiveness of the injections and possible side effects. |
| The letter says a number of the school's pupils who took part in a pilot study were subsequently off school suffering from nausea, joint pain, headaches and high fevers. | The letter says a number of the school's pupils who took part in a pilot study were subsequently off school suffering from nausea, joint pain, headaches and high fevers. |
| Schools 'responsibility' | Schools 'responsibility' |
| It states: "We do not believe that school is the right place for the three injections to be administered. | It states: "We do not believe that school is the right place for the three injections to be administered. |
| "Therefore, governors have taken the decision not to allow the school premises to be used for this programme." | "Therefore, governors have taken the decision not to allow the school premises to be used for this programme." |
| The school's head teacher Frank McCarron said he could not comment on the governors' decision. | The school's head teacher Frank McCarron said he could not comment on the governors' decision. |
| Although some religious groups are opposed to the vaccine because of fears it may encourage promiscuity, the governors make no moral objection to the programme. | Although some religious groups are opposed to the vaccine because of fears it may encourage promiscuity, the governors make no moral objection to the programme. |
| A spokesman for the Diocese of Salford said: "The diocese and Catholic schools board do not have a moral objection, but it is up to individual schools to decide whether to allow the vaccinations to be carried out in school." | A spokesman for the Diocese of Salford said: "The diocese and Catholic schools board do not have a moral objection, but it is up to individual schools to decide whether to allow the vaccinations to be carried out in school." |
| Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, Mr Balls said the vaccine would help hundreds of children across the UK. | Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, Mr Balls said the vaccine would help hundreds of children across the UK. |
| Mr Balls said: "In general the vast majority of schools will be delivering these vaccinations and they will be doing so to save lives. | Mr Balls said: "In general the vast majority of schools will be delivering these vaccinations and they will be doing so to save lives. |
| "I think schools should be at the centre of their community and I don't think schools walking away from their responsibility for children's health is the way to go." | "I think schools should be at the centre of their community and I don't think schools walking away from their responsibility for children's health is the way to go." |
| The Department of Health said the HPV vaccine had undergone rigorous safety testing as part of the licensing process. |