COVID VACCINE SAFETY, EFFICACY, AND MANDATES

COVID-19
Written By Baily McDaniel
woman getting blood drawn

Key Facts

  • According to Johns Hopkins medicine, “So far, none of the vaccine trials have reported any serious safety concerns. Trials for the first two vaccines — from Pfizer and Moderna — have had fully independent safety monitoring boards, and safety data are continuously reviewed by the FDA and expert panels.” [1]

  • The vaccine was 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 in clinical trials. [2]

  • Even though the vaccines have been effective in preventing someone from getting COVID-19, the scientific community does not yet know to what extent the COVID-19 vaccine will keep the virus from spreading. [3]

  • One poll recorded that only 47% of Americans planned to get the COVID-19 vaccine. [4]

Key Scriptures

  • Proverbs 12:15 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” 

  • Proverbs 1:5 “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,” 

  • 3 John 1:2 “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”

  • Proverbs 11:14 “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”

covid-19 vaccine

Application

Talk of the COVID-19 vaccine has become central to conversations across the US and around the world. The production and distribution of these vaccines have raised many questions about their safety, efficacy, and potential mandates that they may bring. What does the evidence show?

Differences between Vaccines 

Currently, three vaccines are authorized and recommended for use in the United States by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

The Johnson and Johnson/Janssen vaccine is a non-replicating viral vector vaccine. This vaccine uses an adenovirus, taking a small amount of genetic material that codes for a piece of the novel coronavirus and integrating it with the weakened adenovirus. Although it can enter cells and trigger an immune response, the virus cannot replicate and thus cannot infect a person. Recently, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine was recommended for halt due to adverse side effects. However, after investigating the circumstances behind six people who developed a rare and severe type of blood clot after receiving this vaccine, the CDC has concluded the use of the vaccine should resume. The risk of blood clots should still be considered for those who may be at higher risk for this adverse effect. This vaccine has less severe side effects compared with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines but also a lower efficacy at 72% protection from contracting the virus. 

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are unique from others in that they are mRNA vaccines. These vaccines employ a piece of genetic code from the COVID-19 virus which causes the body to simulate an immune reaction and produce antibodies to respond if the body is presented with the actual virus. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have similar side effects including, “Chills, headache, tiredness, and/or redness and swelling at the injection site.

Safety and Efficacy concerns for all COVID vaccines  

The vaccines have shown significant strengths in protecting individuals from COVID-19. The studies thus far have shown that Pfizer-BioNTech produces a 95% effectiveness against COVID-19 and Moderna has shown 94% effectiveness. The manufacturing of this vaccine was sped up in a safe yet costly process of running multiple safety and efficacy tests at the same time. All safety measures were carefully accounted for in the production of this vaccine. One of the most crucial concerns for the public is the safety of the vaccine. While questions of safety circulate about all vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine has been of particular concern due to its quick production and testing. Rumors of major side effects have spread on social media, including that it causes infertility or COVID-19 itself. While the COVID-19 vaccine does come with certain risks, many of the supposed “risks” circulating on social media can be put to rest. 

There are the proven potential side effects, yet some still report concerns over other potential side effects. Some reports have connected a rise in miscarriages in the UK to the vaccine, but fact-checkers have concluded that this is “missing context.” In recent years, other pandemic and influenza vaccines have been connected to miscarriages. These studies have taken multiple years to acquire and analyze data. From this, we can use wisdom to recognize our limited perspective on the matter and should be cautious in drawing definitive conclusions. 

Even with great success against COVID-19, protection against the transmission of COVID-19 from one person to another might be even more important. While most vaccines against viral illnesses also help prevent transmission of the disease, it is still too early to determine to what extent  COVID-19 vaccines accomplish this. Preliminary data suggests the vaccines are effective in stopping the spread (between 38-49% reduced transmission according to this recent study), but the full degree to which it does is still unknown. At this time, we have more certainty that the vaccine is effective in protecting vaccinated individuals from developing severe symptoms than from transmitting it to someone else. For healthy young people, the biggest concern is that they spread the virus to at-risk groups rather than the risk of death itself. Should the vaccines prove to be ineffective at stopping the spread of the virus, this would make it less beneficial to young, healthy individuals.

As with any vaccine, some low-level risks may come with the Covid-19 vaccines. Therefore, people must examine if the vaccine is worth incurring such a risk. In addition, due to the nature of a new vaccine, there are many unknowns. While there may be few confirmed and significant dangers, there could be other dangers that have not yet surfaced. Just as with any newer vaccine, the long-term effects will continue to be studied. 

What does the Bible Say?

The Bible does not say anything specifically about vaccinations. Yet, there are principles that we can apply as we respond to these questions. 

First, we must love others and put their needs before our own (1 Cor. 10:24). Many may use this biblical mandate as a “trump card” to suggest we must get vaccinated. However, this verse was not written as a command to get vaccinated and by no means requires that. What it does mean is that as we sift through the risks and questions brought about by the COVID-19 vaccine, we should be thinking about not only our own needs but also the needs of others (Phil. 2:4). It is always easy to become exclusively focused on ourselves, and we should be intentional about considering our neighbors’ needs alongside our own. 

Second, Christians should not act out of fear. For Christians, death is nothing to be feared, and we know that it is the final enemy to be defeated (1 Cor. 15:26). Christians can recognize that human life has inherent value and that death is an enemy (Gen. 1:27). At the same time, we know that God is sovereign and that we should not fear death (Heb. 2:14-15). As pastor David Guzik writes, “Christians have no fear of death, not because death is their friend but because it is a defeated enemy that now serves God’s purpose in the believer’s life.” Falling prey to this fear can lead us to make rash or illogical decisions. Christians, however, should make decisions with a sound mind. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7). 

Third, we must lean into the truth. As Christians, it is important that we do not compromise truth under the guise of “love” and “kindness” (1 Cor. 13:4-6). Neither should we compromise it due to our own selfishness, fears, or beliefs in unfounded conspiracies. Truth grounds these principles and Christians should build a foundation of truth in order to best respond to any situation. As we seek counsel and wisdom on this matter, we should rely on medical experts (Prov. 12:15) and be wary of anyone attempting to mislead by using empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that comes from human thinking (Col 2:8). 

Should the Vaccine be Required? 

As politicians consider requiring the vaccine for travel and other participation in daily activities, it is important for Christians to remember a few things. 

  1. The risk from vaccination is always different for each person. To require all people to get this vaccine in order to resume regular activities would be requiring certain individuals to incur significant risk while others would be minimal. This “one size fits all” approach would not produce the best results for everyone. 

  2. In requiring a vaccine, the government should show that it is both safe for the individual and effective in preventing the disease in the general public. Current scientific findings show that the vaccines are generally safe, and more data is coming in which suggests that they help reduce transmission. However, conclusive evidence is not yet available. 

  3. Christians should encourage other Christians to follow their consciences on issues that are not explicitly addressed in Scripture such as this one. Some Christians may think it best to exercise caution with a new vaccine or avoid the vaccine due to pro-life concerns. Others may choose to get it as it becomes available to them. This is an issue of conscience and Christians should allow for differences of opinion. 

  4. People are ultimately sinful (Rom. 3:23). In light of this, it may be good for Christians to be cautious of giving unnecessary authority to the government, especially one that continuously acts and passes laws which are not in accordance with biblical principles (Gal. 5:19-21). 

Mandating vaccines is a very heated topic as Americans often object to government intervention in their personal medical decisions. As we look at this issue, it is important to examine the practical nature of the policies being proposed. It is only by examining the details of the policy that we can make informed and wise decisions about the positive and negative effects it would have on the community. 

covid-19+hotspot+sign

Conclusion

Christians may have immediate concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine. Discussion about the efficacy, safety, and government requirements raises many emotions both in favor and opposition of the vaccine. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but as Christians, we must focus on the truth and biblical responses rather than letting our emotions lead. The vaccine has been shown thus far to be safe and effective for the individual taking it, and preliminary data suggests that it is effective in reducing the spread, but more data is needed to confirm this. These facts result in a complicated examination of risk vs. benefit. Therefore, Christians should be understanding when others do not agree with them. As we seek conclusions on this issue, we should not do so at the expense of unity between brothers and sisters in Christ (Matt. 12:48-50).

Baily McDaniel
Previous

PRO-LIFE CONCERNS ABOUT THE COVID VACCINES
Next

WAS JESUS A FEMINIST?