Adventist Church Leaders on COVID-19 Vaccination The Seventh-day Adventist Church, in consultation with the Health Ministries and Public Affairs and Religious Liberty departments of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, is convinced that the vaccination programs that are generally being carried out are important for the safety and health of our members and the larger community. Therefore, claims of religious liberty are not used appropriately in objecting to government mandates or employer programs designed to protect the health and safety of their communities. Official church statement, “Reaffirming the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Response to COVID-19,” October 25, 2021. • https://bit.ly/3qAbw8K We advocate all of these practices to maintain a healthy immune system, and in the pandemic, even more is needed. Ellen White was not only an inspired conduit of health information much ahead of her time, but she modeled practical prevention in the face of the lethal disease in her era, smallpox, and took the immunization herself, as did those close to her. “COVID-19 Vaccines: Addressing Concerns, Offering Counsel.” • https://bit.ly/3rtfqQc As an old public health doctor who has worked in vaccination programs for 50 years, I have seen the incredible benefit of vaccines. We have eliminated smallpox, largely stamped out polio, and controlled measles, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, and many other infectious diseases…. While there has been controversy around each of these in years past, they are all accepted now by the vast majority of people and have become required in this country for our children to attend school and health professionals to work in health care settings. Everyone has benefited from these vaccines…. Some believe this virus will continue to circulate through our society until everyone has either received the vaccine or had the infection. That would be a tragedy when we have such an effective tool and can avoid many needless deaths. “On Vaccine Mandates,” Dr. Richard Hart, president of Loma Linda University Health. • https://bit.ly/3FEnnXQ “Studies keep showing that the vaccines are significantly effective to prevent severe disease, hospitalizations, and death… Together, we can stop COVID-19 suffering and deaths! Let’s continue saving lives!” Dr. Carlos Casiano, professor of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, and Medicine at Loma Linda University. • https://bit.ly/3FGjFwG “This vaccine brings hope of a return to normalcy, and we are grateful for the support of state and local partners as we take this next step and continue responding to the needs of our community.” Brenda Kuhn, chief clinical officer for Kettering Adventist HealthCare. • https://bit.ly/3A8knBO The CDC has reported that COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the FDA are safe and highly effective in reducing the spread of the virus and in decreasing the possibility of serious illness and hospitalization. We encourage and will facilitate vaccination on campus. Southwestern Adventist University. • https://bit.ly/3GDDXs9
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