Science and religion for COVID-19 vaccine promotion.

A recent correspondence published in this journal proposed a multi-sectoral approach on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination hesitancy, whereas another proposed that religious leaders play a role in gaining the public's trust in COVID-19 vaccine. This article raises awareness that though religious leaders play a huge role in promoting the COVID-19 vaccine, they are still bound by the findings of science. What this article, therefore, proposes is the collaboration of science and religion in COVID-19 vaccine promotion.

A recent correspondence published in this journal proposed a multi-sectoral approach on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination hesitancy. It accurately pointed out the need for a deliberate collaboration among various stakeholders such as the government, civil society and religious sectors. The said article was in response to a previous correspondence, which said that the Catholic Church, being an influential institution in the Philippines, must help gain the public’s trust in COVID-19 vaccines in the country. This article raises awareness that though religious leaders play a huge role in promoting the COVID-19 vaccine, they are still bound by the pronouncements of science. What this article, therefore, proposes is the collaboration of science and religion in COVID-19 vaccine promotion.

A scientific–religious issue arises when it comes to promoting the COVID-19 vaccine. Although religious leaders are morally obliged to lead their followers toward the good through information dissemination and promotion, they are also equally morally obliged to abide by the findings of science. This is after reports of religious leaders ignoring this obligation as they spread, consciously or unconsciously, misinformation about the vaccine. In the report, some religious leaders were shown preaching, convincing their congregation to not receive the vaccine, because it ‘can cause homosexual tendencies’ and it ‘controls the mind’. Similarly, some religious leaders brace their religious and moral teachings to talk against the vaccine. A Hindu leader has claimed that the vaccine was an ‘“international conspiracy” to feed cow’s blood to Hindus’, whereas a Greek Orthodox bishop insisted that the vaccines are manufactured out of slaughtered fetuses. In Israel, a religious leader expressed how the vaccine can make its recipient gay, whereas a group of evangelical Christians in the United States has declared the vaccine to be a mark of the devil, based on the Book of Revelation.

Although there is no scientific sense in these religious declarations, these messages undermine confidence in the vaccine as they cause confusion among peoples. There is a tendency for the followers of these religious leaders to take this misinformation as ‘gospel truth’. Religious leaders must subscribe to the most feasible scientific declarations about the vaccines, such as the ones provided by the Word Health Organization, or by their country’s health department. As faith and religion are necessary in this time of crisis, relying on scientific information is equally necessary. So, it is crucial that religious leaders get the message of the vaccine across as scientifically as possible. In a public health crisis such as this, science must lead the way, but it must be accompanied by religion.

On a positive note, these religious leaders who speak negatively about the vaccine are only a minority. Many other religious leaders proclaim the opposite: the vaccine is a message of hope. Even Pope Francis has suggested that being vaccinated is everyone’s moral obligation, as it helps preserve not only the individual’s life, but also that of others. And as this public health crisis challenges one’s faith, so must religion work in tandem with science.