The Vatican intervened in the heated debate of those who opposed mass vaccination against the coronavirus, declaring that ‘rejection a risk to others”. He also defended the “moral responsibility of those who provide it.”
The Vatican’s Covid-19 Commission and the Academy for Life urged world leaders to make a distribution fair and just of vaccines, “giving priority to those who need it most.” In a document, both agencies cited Pope Francis’ recent Christmas message and invited world leaders to resist the temptation to adhere to “a vaccination nationalism.” When what is needed is cooperation.
The church, they stressed, is getting in the service of “healing the world”, using “their voices spread around the world to speak, advocate and help ensure that vaccines and care are available to the global family, especially vulnerable people.”
Both Vatican bodies comment on the ‘life cycle’ of vaccine administration, due to the speed at which it has made effective vaccines in less than a year, while in the past the cycle of creating this fundamental protection against disease has been gaining momentum came. experimental three and up to five years to be launched on the international market.
The problems that arise are very complex and the Pontifical Academy for Life ruled out that “there is a morally relevant collaboration between those who use these vaccines and the practice of voluntary abortion.”
Controversy over aborted fetuses
Some vaccines are used clinically at various stages of the experimental process cell lines of aborted fetuses decades ago, which are used in laboratory test phases ”.
The Academy of Life of the Holy See clears this use of cells from aborted fetuses, noting that “all clinically recommended vaccines can be used with the assurance that the use of such vaccines does not involve some sort of collaboration with voluntary abortion, “
With regard to patents on vaccine ownership, the Vatican organizations demand that the vaccine be interpreted as “a good to which everyone has access, without discrimination, in accordance with the principle of universal destination of goods, mentioned by Pope Francis. ”.
“Investments in medicine must find their deepest meaning in human solidarity.”
The Covid-19 Commission and the Academia de la Vida support convergence in favor of priorities that “should be reserved for occupational categories committed to the common good, in particular health care workers, the most vulnerable groups such as the elderly and the sick with special pathologies ”.
With regard to the moral responsibility to undergo vaccination, the Vatican reiterates that the issue implies “a link between personal health and public health, showing a close interdependence, in which rejection of the vaccine it can also pose a risk to others ”.
The Holy See advocates a safe and effective vaccine, “available to everyone and at a price that allows fair distribution.” These are the priorities to ensure comprehensive treatment “that also takes into account and values local situations”.
The document concludes that thus “resources will be developed to assist local churches in preparing initiatives and treatment protocols for particular communities.”
Vatican, correspondent
ap