In the service of the Filipino: the role of Catholic higher education institutions in promoting COVID-19 vaccines in the Philippines.

There has been a stigma and hesitancy regarding COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines. Many Filipinos are still hesitant to be vaccinated. This paper highlights the role of the Catholic Church as a powerful institution which can influence the people not only in spiritual aspect but also in promoting public health by motivating locals to get vaccinated. This task can be specifically done through the efforts of Catholic Higher Education Institutions (HEI) that place prominence and priority on social work and mission.

To the editor

In the absence of a vaccine or effective drugs for treatment, all the nations worldwide are struggling to contain the spread of COVID-19 with the enforcement of quarantine and lockdowns, social distancing measures, community-use of facemasks at all times and travel restrictions. Now that the first batch of vaccine has arrived in the Philippines, many Filipinos are still hesitant to get vaccinated. This is due to the low efficacy rate of some vaccines like the Sinovac and at the same time the expected side effects. In a recent correspondence published in this journal, the author suggested immediate collaboration between government officials and Church authorities in encouraging people to participate in COVID-19 vaccinations. Informing the public about the safety of a forthcoming vaccine is of paramount importance to health authorities planning to roll out large-scale vaccinations in the near future. The Catholic Church in the Philippines is considered as a major social and political force because of its great influence. It does not only provide moral and spiritual guidance to the locals but it also helps in developing the social conscience and consciousness of the Filipino people. One way to influence the people is through Catholic education.

The Catholic schools represent a major ministry of the Philippine Roman Catholic Church. According to the Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines, the educational network of the Catholic Church, there are more than 1525 member-schools in 2017. These schools are mostly established by religious congregations such as the Benedictines, Dominicans, Augustinians, Jesuits, Daughters of Charity, Assumption Sisters, Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres, Salesians, Religious of the Virgin Mary, Christian Brothers and many others. The trademark of credibility among these institutions was already established after many years of operation and this is a big factor in influencing the people. Among the many programs that are implemented in these Catholic schools, social work and mission are among its essential components. Through the social work and mission offices, most especially form the Catholic Higher Education Institutions which include colleges and universities, the task of campaigning and disseminating information to motivate people and get vaccinated is a big help. These offices are usually connected to various partner communities through the regular social engagements or community service of the students. They can create strategic plans on how to encourage locals to get vaccinated such as free online lectures/training, webinars and even provide incentives for the marginalized ones like scholarships and livelihood programs which are surely beneficial to them.

In conclusion, we have to take note that as long as an effective drug is not yet available for COVID-19, the only possible way to impede the spread of the virus if not totally end is to get everyone vaccinated. This can be achieved by convincing everyone of its importance and the Catholic Church can play its role of helping this cause through its many resources for the benefit of all.