on the vaccines

Should you get the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available? Are the vaccines ethical? Here you can find resources and discussions on the vaccines from the WEA network.

While Waiting for the Vaccine

It is crucial that efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus continue until more than 70% of the community has been vaccinated. (See Understanding the Vaccine).  The resources provided for church leaders describe the practices needed to contain further spread of Covid-19. 

We also provide resources for Alliance Leaders. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Candidates

A chart that gives background information on a number of the COVID-19 vaccines

Ethical Science at Warp Speed

An update on the controversy over fetal tissue research

WEBINAR: Making Ethical Decisions That Value Human Life

A conversation with experts from fields of medicine, medical ethics, public policy and conscience

Physician Support for Ethical Vaccines

A joint statement by physicians in support for safe and ethical vaccine development

Understanding the Vaccine

The FAQs: What You Should Know About COVID-19 Vaccines

WEBINAR: COVID Vaccines - Effectiveness, Safety, Ethics and Deployment

Professors Gagandeep Kang & Annelies Wilder-Smith ICMDA

Vaccines Trials and Drug Development

By the Evangelical Alliance of South Africa

WEBINAR: WEA and COVID Vaccination

A short presentation of the WEA position followed by a discussion of the challenges and possible responses.

WEBINAR: Program for Theology and Ethics of Covid19

By the Evangelical Alliance of South Africa

What Ethical Issues Does the COVID-19 Vaccine Raise?

Experts from medicine, law and ethics assess the questions for Christians around the coronavirus vaccines

Access to the Vaccine

Inequality in Vaccine Distribution

By Evangelical Focus Rich countries overbuy Covid-19 vaccines, poor countries struggle to access them

Barriers to Vaccination

Now that vaccines are being released it is important to recognize and mitigate barriers that could keep people from being vaccinated.  We group these barriers into four categories and provide guidance and resources for each one. 

Conspiracies

A conspiracy is a way of understanding the virus or the vaccine that is based on deep distrust and misinformation.  Conspiracies usually assume a larger plot to exploit or harm people.  In some cases people who want to generate fear or undermine public health will start conspiracies to frighten people.  The best strategy for conspiracy is direct counter-messaging.

Misinformation

In some cases, people simply have incorrect ideas or information that may make them hesitate to be vaccinated.  Sometimes the misinformation can be corrected when people receive evidence-based information.  Misinformation can be addressed by a combination of evidence-based information and including how to recognize who is an authority and a trustworthy source.

Distrust

In communities where there is a history of distrust of authority, it is easy to distrust the vaccine and information about the pandemic.  Alleviating distrust can require more than just sharing information.  The best strategy with distrust is for those who are trusted to become a bridge between those in fear and those who are worthy of our trust. It may require more of a discussion with someone who is trusted rather than one time sharing. 

Ethical Concerns

Ethical concerns are important to respect and discuss openly as they reflect a person’s desire to do what is right.  There are some ethical concerns about the vaccine that may be eased with direct information about both the vaccine and ethics.  Like distrust, ethical concerns can be addressed through open dialog with a trustworthy expert.

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