On Wednesday 2 December, the first UK-approved Covid-19 vaccine was formally licensed and will be rolled out from next week starting with priority groups such as NHS workers.
The Pfizer vaccine is given in two doses, with three weeks in between. Results from the phase three trial indicate that the vaccine protects more than 90% of people from becoming infected by coronavirus.
With further vaccines soon to be rolled out, there has been much debate and concern with regards to the safety and composition of the new vaccine especially considering the period of time it has taken for it to be developed. Within the Adventist circles and beyond, suspicion and conspiracies navigate around most social media platforms from one end of the spectrum to the other.
With the majority of individuals who have previously taken vaccines without concern, what guidance is available to assist in the decision-making of the new vaccine? Some official links to aid you in your decision can be found here:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/
https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-11-23-oxford-university-breakthrough-global-covid-19-vaccine#
For those who are interested in the statement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, here is the link https://www.adventist.org/articles/immunization/.
It reads:
"The Seventh-day Adventist Church places strong emphasis on health and well-being. The Adventist health emphasis is based on biblical revelation, the inspired writing of E.G. White (co-founder of the Church), and on peer-reviewed scientific literature. As such, we encourage responsible immunisation/vaccination, and have no religious or faith-based reason not to encourage our adherents to responsibly participate in protective and preventive immunisation programmes. We value the health and safety of the population, which includes the maintenance of 'herd immunity.'
We are not the conscience of the individual church member and recognise individual choices. These are exercised by the individual. The choice not to be immunised is not and should not be seen as the dogma nor the doctrine of the Seventh-day Adventist Church."
For anyone who would like further advice and guidance from the BUC or SEC Health Ministries department please email renatela@adventist.uk or cngwaba@secadventist.org.uk.
