Pfizer and Moderna have reported high success rates for their vaccinations against COVID-19. With these announcements and subsequent requests for approval from the Food and Drug Administration for distribution, questions regarding the ethics of receiving these vaccines have arisen.
On November 23, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released a memo authored by Bishop Kevin Rhoades, the chair of the Committee on Doctrine, and Archbishop Joseph Naumann, the chair of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities. Bishop Steven’s explanation of this memo and its importance underscores what the memo identified: the moral permissibility of receiving the vaccinations that Pfizer and Moderna have developed.
Given the technical nature of ethical arguments supporting this statement, the People of God might be searching for more information on how the USCCB came to this conclusion. The following resources from reputable sources may be of assistance for those desiring to learn more about this topic:
A common refrain in these sources remains the responsibility of Catholics to advocate for ethically developed vaccinations, which our Church continues to do.