You’ve no doubt heard many things about the coronavirus vaccines that are currently being rolled out.
Many of you have contacted us here at Focus on the Family with questions about the vaccine, so today on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Covid-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know” we want to get the information you need to keep you and your family safe and healthy.
Focus on the Family has 35 medical professionals who comprise our Physician’s Resource Council and who guide our ministry’s health content. I’ve invited two of them to join me today to answer the most common questions we’re hearing from our listeners. They are both infectious disease specialists.
Dr. Daniel Hinthorn is a board-certified physician at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Dr. Scott James is a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital.
We’ll discuss questions such as:
- Are they safe?
- What are the risks?
- What about vaccines with fetal cells from abortion?
- How long does the vaccine last?
- Should we take the vaccine to protect others, especially those at risk?
- Do we continue with masks/handwashing even after receiving the vaccine?
- What about Christmas plans with family?
- Should we trust the government’s guidelines?
- How bad could the pandemic have been if government protocols hadn’t been followed?
- Where could the pandemic be heading in the months ahead?
While I know there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the issue of vaccines, I believe we can thank God for this provision. Even through this challenging time, God is working and will work all things for good.
Tune in to the program on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, via Google Podcasts, or on our free phone app.
In addition, I want to call your attention to an excellent document prepared by the Council.
COVID-19 Vaccines
A Statement of the Physicians Resource Council of Focus on the Family
As of late 2020 there have been more than 74 million reported cases of COVID-19 globally, with more than 1.6 million deaths worldwide.
While much is still unknown about the disease, our understanding of ways to treat and prevent it continues to grow. One widely anticipated means of reducing the spread of COVID-19 and helping society move back toward normalcy is the development of a vaccine.
Vaccines work by taking a part of a virus or bacteria (known as an antigen) and presenting it to the body’s immune system so that it stimulates an immune response. Antigens can be introduced directly, using killed or weakened viruses, or through molecules like mRNA which provide instructions for cells in our bodies to produce the antigen. These antigens prime the immune system so that when it encounters a particular invader, such as a virus, it “remembers” it and is ready to mount a rapid defense.
It is hoped that vaccines will prove effective in curtailing the spread of COVID-19, although there are still many questions about them. While reports of safety and efficacy for recently approved vaccines are promising, a concern that is often discussed in the pro-life community relates to the use of aborted fetal cell lines in the development and manufacturing of vaccines.
Two fetal cell lines that are being used in the development and production of several COVID-19 vaccines are HEK293 and PER.C6. HEK293 was derived from a fetus that was aborted in 1972. PER.C6 was isolated from an abortion that occurred in 1985. (No ongoing abortions need to be performed for these cell lines to be maintained.)
The good news is that some pharmaceutical companies are working on vaccines that do not rely in any way on aborted fetal cell lines. Others are making vaccines that are not produced in aborted fetal cell lines, although these cell lines have been used for certain testing purposes. These manufacturers include Moderna, along with Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, whose mRNA vaccines are synthesized in the lab and are not produced using cells of any kind.[i]
Unfortunately, aborted fetal cell lines are being used by some vaccine manufacturers in the development and production of COVID-19 vaccines. These include, but are not limited to, the vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen, which uses PER.C6, and AstraZeneca’s vaccine, using HEK293.
The use of these cell lines is a matter of ethical concern to many people of pro-life conviction, and has made some hesitant to accept vaccines produced using fetal cell lines.
Human life, from conception to natural death, should be treated as sacred and never be devalued. Vaccine manufacturing, following the best ethical practices, should not have to rely on abortion at all. The Physicians Resource Council of Focus on the Family expresses its gratitude to those vaccine developers that do not use aborted fetal cell lines, and calls upon all manufacturers to use methods and technologies that value life.
Amy Hurt says
-Is there any updated information about the vaccines with regards to blood clotting and virus shedding?
AnnFOTF says
-Hi Amy – We’re sorry, but we do not have updated information on those specific topics. Your doctor may be able to answer your questions or direct you to a reliable medical website. God bless you!
Gigi says
-Dear Jim Daly please would you mind giving me your and focus on the family exact stance on the covid vaccine that’s doing the rounds across the world especially in USA, Israel & UK, please
Jess1FOTF says
-We appreciate your interest in Focus’ and Jim Daly’s stance on this subject. The choice to be vaccinated is a personal one. Jim Daly has mentioned in his blog the broadcast “Covid-19 Vaccines: What You Need to Know.” We would encourage you to listen to this program for more details. Focus and Jim Daly are not arguing for people to get vaccinated or to not get vaccinated. That is a decision that people must make for themselves. We simply want to present information to help people make the decision they feel is best for themselves and their family. Blessings to you and your family!
Elena says
-This message is for Tim: be honest..how come you are so sure the vaccine will not affect the DNA? Have you been monitoring their laboratory?
Greg Douthett says
-Hi Elana! God is showing the Truth about all these lies and harm being done by the vaccine. look up CRSPR and how it will alter people’s Immune system. Basically, AIDS, SARS, & MERS were Fore-runners to this COVID Acquired immune Deficiency Syndrome. Bill gates said himself he & his family have not been vaxed @ all. yet He & wannabe Dr. Falsely are working with CDC or Criminal Drug Companies to perpetuate these grand lies of theirs. next up…no vax, no fly, no food, ostrasised from society. Gates even has a patent for microchip tattoo proof of your vaxing. It has flourescent ink that shows under scan who is vaxed or not. it is called Snakes Fangs, pierces several layers into skin and does the vax and mark @ same time. a badge of servitude (charagma) no man can buy sell or trade without the mark of the beast. Even mainline Pastors are being paid off or threatened by govt or drug companies to preach love your neighbor and get Vaxed?? Great deception! Follow the Holy Spirit. Why would He honor abortionists and devil worshipers? they all have so much innocent blood on their hands. Thanks for sharing truth with others! Maranatha!!! Brother Greg!