KINGSTON, Jamaica — Education Minister Ruel Reid a short while ago disclosed that the introduction of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine that was scheduled to be administered to girls at grade seven, has been postponed.

Reid, who was addressing a press conference at his Heroes Circle office today, said the introduction has been postponed until more assessment is done.

However, Minister of Health, Dr Christopher Tufton made no reference to postponing the vaccination during his presentation in Parliament this afternoon.

Opposition spokesman on health, Dr Dayton Campbell over the weekend called for the urgent implementation of a public education programme ahead of administering the HPV vaccine to the at-risk population.

According to Campbell, the vaccine has been linked to fainting spells and other side effects, and may not be best administered in the school environment without appropriate measures for monitoring.

He added that while the programme may be beneficial as there will likely be less adverse findings on pap smears and fewer cases of cancers, the lack of proper public health education would leave many Jamaicans confused and give cause to heightened anxiety.