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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The Yellowknife Catholic school board will renew its debate over providing female students with a vaccine to prevent the spread of the sexually-transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), trustees decided at last Wednesday's school board meeting.

Trustees voted 5-2 in September 2009 not to provide the vaccine, citing a lack of information about possible side-effects. But the decision was widely criticized, particularly among the medical community, who accused the school board of putting Catholic views on promoting abstinence over the health of its students.

The HPV vaccine Gardasil is provided in public schools, including Yellowknife Education District No. 1, beginning in Grade 4. HPV is known to cause cervical cancer.

Trustee Steven Voytilla asked that the ban on the HPV vaccine from four years ago be looked at again.

"We had a (parent advisory committee) meeting a couple of weeks ago and the issue was raised then," said Voytilla.

"I understand it's a touchy and sensitive issue."

Only one trustee, Amy Simpson, who supported a vaccine program, remains from the school board four years ago ,so proponents are anticipating a different outcome this time.

Former trustee Rose-Marie Jackson, the other vote in favour of the vaccine, introduced the motion in 2009.

The brief discussion at last Wednesday's meeting wasn't about whether or not to allow the vaccine but over whether the board should discuss the pros and cons once again.

"I think we have an obligation to hear from all the other interest groups," said trustee John Dalton.

"We can't decide this as a board."

Simpson said it would be a good idea to invite people to make presentations to the board before any decision is made.

"We invite public health, interested parents to come and make presentations to us before we decide as a board to change or modify our decision banning the vaccine," said Simpson.

The board plans on hearing presentations during its regular meeting in April.

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