A Roman Catholic school in the UK has banned its students from receiving the Cervarix vaccine on its premises, the BBC reports. Governors at St Monica’s High School in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, believe the school is “not the right place” to administer the injections.

The Roman Catholic Church says there is nothing wrong with allowing vaccinations, according to the BBC, but governors at St Monica’s, which has 1,200 pupils, sent a letter to parents questioning effectiveness and pointed out possible side effects. The letter says a number students who took part in a pilot study subsequently suffered nausea, joint pain, headaches and high fevers.

“We do not believe that school is the right place for the three injections to be administered,” the letter states, according to the BBC. “Therefore, governors have taken the decision not to allow the school premises to be used for this programme.” The 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 insist there is no moral objection. A spokesman for the Diocese of Salford tells the BBC: “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.”

But Schools Secretary Ed Balls says vaccine would help hundreds of children across the UK. “In general the vast majority of schools will be delivering these vaccinations and they will be doing so to save lives,” he tells the BBC. “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.

Hat tip to Seroxat Sufferers