FALSE ARGUMENTS

THE article by Dr Corby arguing for the right of conscientious objection to the Covid vaccine for Catholics working in medical settings made interesting reading. The reasons for objection seemed to be concerns about the vaccine manufacture (referring, I suspect, to the furphy that the vaccines are made using embryonic tissue); the possible effects of the vaccine on the individual; and the right of the individual to refuse due religious conviction. The vaccines are manufactured without the use of any human tissue, so that argument doesn’t hold water. As for the possible effects on the individual, the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have been shown to have only very mild, transient side effects. Also, worrying about side effects smacks more of self-interest than any grounds for conscientious objection. Freedom of religion is important, and if you have a conviction that you don’t need a vaccine because God will look after you, go for it and don’t be vaccinated.

However, for those of us who aren’t quite so sanguine about God rendering medical assistance, we have an expectation that our health care workers actually believe in the medicine that they are practising, and as such will be vaccinated. Even the Pope supports vaccination (and it’s not often that I agree with him).

Niall Stewart South Hobart