Diocese prefers certain vaccines to others

Michigan Catholic Bishops released a statement on March 3rd encouraging members to take the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines whenever it is possible. Archbishop of Detroit Allen Vigneron said, “the vaccines developed by Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca are more morally problematic, however. They utilized in the design, production, development, and confirmatory testing a cell line that originated from tissue taken from an aborted baby. These vaccines may be received only if there are no other alternatives.”

Given its rural nature, the Upper Peninsula does not necessarily offer all of the vaccine types within a reasonable distance of each other. The Marquette Diocese has therefore placed a less restrictive directive on its members. While it remains preferable to use the Pfizer and Moderna options, local Catholics can receive the J&J vaccine with no guilt of conscience. Diocese Communications Director John Fee reiterated that while the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is okay given the circumstances of the pandemic, “these vaccines can be developed without the use of morally problematic cell lines.”

He says those who do not get vaccinated, “have a moral responsibility to embrace the necessary precautions to avoid spreading the disease to others.”