Only 19% of Catholic Students in Calgary approve of the HPV Vaccine whereas about 70% public school students have already received the shot.

The disparity in numbers as the Calgary Catholic school board disapproved of the program on moral and safety concerns.

The Calgary Catholic school system, Calgary Bishop Fred Henry and all the Alberta bishops, have strongly opposed the vaccine and have not allowed it to be given in their schools.

The Alberta bishops have discarded the HPV on the plea that it is a sexually transmitted disease. If young girls are vaccinated against it, it would send the wrong message about sexual behavior. According to Catholic teaching, sexuality is a God-given gift and it should be reserved for marriage.

St. Thomas Aquinas board chair Sandra Bannard explained the board’s concerns: "When a school board or anyone else allows something to go on in their schools, it's almost seen as an endorsement."