KEY POINTS:
Girls attending Catholic schools across the country will find out next week whether they will get a vaccination which could prevent them from getting cervical cancer.
The Government introduction of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil, will see up to 300,000 girls and young women aged 12 to 18 receive a free immunisation.
However, regular smears will still be recommended.
Catholic secondary and primary schools will be sent information packs about the programme next week, to help principals and board of trustee members decide whether to allow for vaccinations to take place at school.
Catholic education office chief executive Brother Pat Lynch said some parents were unsure of the vaccination programme and the effects it would have on their daughters.
"One can understand the point of view which some parents have _ they think if I give my daughter this, she'll think that she can become sexually active," Brother Pat said.
He acknowledged that there were many "sensitive issues" associated with a young girl _ such as a 12-year-old _ getting a vaccine that was connected to having sex, but said the health reasons were something to acknowledge also.
"Any risk associated with it is to do with the parents. Like any vaccination, it doesn't last forever _ we're happy to support it, because cervical cancer is such a big infliction to New Zealand women."
But Right to Life New Zealand spokesman Ken Orr said the vaccine gave young girls the wrong message: "The message is that we don't expect you to keep yourself safe by being chaste before marriage and faithful within marriage, so we are giving you a vaccine to keep you free of HPV."
Mr Orr agreed that a better message would be to promote chastity.
To be launched on Monday, the $164.2 million programme will enable girls and young women to be immunised at a family doctor, practice nurse or health clinic immediately.
Dr Alison Roberts, of the Ministry of Health, said the vaccination programme was an opportunity for young women to be protected against the virus that caused most cervical cancer.
"It is an investment in protecting future generations," she said.
