Covid-19 Vaccine Information

US Bishops on Ethical Concerns of New Covid-19 Vaccines

WASHINGTON– On December 14, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Doctrine, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement on the new COVID-19 vaccines. In their statement, the bishops address the moral concerns raised by the fact that the three vaccines that appear to be ready for distribution in the United States all have some connection to cell lines that originated with tissue taken from abortions.

With regard to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, they concluded:

“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 and Moderna 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 AstraZeneca 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 bishop chairmen stated. “In such a case … it would be permissible to accept the AstraZeneca vaccine.”

At the same time, the bishops also warned that Catholics “must be on guard so that the new COVID-19 vaccines do not desensitize us or weaken our determination to oppose the evil of abortion itself and the subsequent use of fetal cells in research.”

The full statement from the bishop chairmen may be found here.

Additionally, an FAQ document is posted here.
 

Indiana Covid-19 Vaccine Information

Indiana residents age 70 and older became eligible for registration for the COVID vaccine on January 13, and by the next day a total of more than 100,000 Hoosiers had signed up. To register, go to https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/vaccine/index.htm  or call 211 for assistance. A caregiver or loved one may make an appointment for an eligible senior.
Some COVID vaccine facts:

• The vaccine received Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA after three phases of testing. The CDC and Indiana Department of Health reviewed the clinical trial data and approved its administration.
• The vaccine is available at no cost.
• Based on clinical trials on thousands, the vaccine is shown to be at least 94% effective for all adults, genders, race and ethnicity demographics with few minor side effects reported. Study participants reached full effectiveness 7 days after the second required vaccine. The CDC has a site for information and frequently asked questions about the vaccine: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html.

Indiana will announce each phase and updates on the Indiana COVID website, https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/.
 

INFORMACIÓN SOBRE LA VACUNA CONTRA EL CORONAVIRUS

Para el 14 de enero, más de 100,000 Hoosiers se habían registrado para recibir la vacuna contra el Coronavirus y los residentes de 70 años o más ya son elegibles para registrarse desde el 13 de enero. Para registrarse visten  https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/vaccine/index.htm o llamen al 211 para orientación. Un familiar o cuidador puede hacer la cita.
Estos son algunos datos importantes que deben saber sobre la vacuna:

• La vacuna recibió la Autorización de Uso de Emergencia del FDA luego de pasar por tres fases de pruebas. El CDC y el Departamento de Salud de Indiana revisaron los datos de los estudios clínicos y aprobaron su administración.
• La vacuna no tiene costo alguno.
• En base a los estudios clínicos donde han participado miles de personas, la vacuna es al menos 94% efectiva para todos, adultos y personas de cualquier género, raza y etnicidad, y muy pocos efectos secundarios han sido reportados. Los participantes en estos estudios alcanzaron efectividad completa siete días luego de la segunda dosis de la vacuna. El CDC cuenta con el siguiente portal informativo y con una sección de preguntas frecuentes sobre la vacuna: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html. 

Indiana estará anunciando cada fase por lo que es importante buscar estas notificaciones en el portal de COVID de Indiana: https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/.