CORONOVIRUS VACCINE

The Diocese of Salt Lake City affirms the findings of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that it is morally acceptable to receive vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. The Dioceses:

  • Encourages COVID-19 vaccinations in collaboration with state and local governments and other entities; and
  • Advocates on behalf of vulnerable populations to ensure that they have access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.

Life has changed this year in ways few of us could have imagined. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought loss of life and livelihood to every community, rich and poor. We mourn for those who have died and for their families, and we offer our prayers and assistance to those struggling with loss of businesses, unemployment, loneliness, anxiety and other traumas brought on by this crisis.

Fortunately, three COVID-19 vaccine candidates have been granted emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In view of the gravity of the current pandemic and the lack of availability of alternative vaccines, the reasons to accept the new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are sufficiently serious to justify their use, despite their remote connection to morally compromised cell lines.

Receiving one of the COVID-19 vaccines ought to be understood as an act of charity toward the other members of our community.  In this way, being vaccinated safely against COVID-19 should be considered an act of love of our neighbor and part of our moral responsibility for the common good.

With regard to the recently approved Johnson and Johnson vaccine, the bishops found it to be “more morally compromised” and consequently concluded that this vaccine “should be avoided” if there are alternatives available. “It may turn out, however, that one does not really have a choice of vaccine, at least, not without a lengthy delay in immunization that may have serious consequences for one’s health and the health of others,” The Bishops chairman stated. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has judged that ‘when ethically irreproachable Covid-19 vaccines are not available … it is morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process."

You can search for vaccines near you using this tool https://vaccinefinder.org/search/.  Use your zip code and select your preferred vaccine for local providers.

 

 

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