Brian Kane, PhD., Senior Director of Ethics, Catholic Health Association of The United States, joined the October 4, 2021 LeadingAge Coronavirus Update Call. He responded to questions from Ruth Katz and from callers.

Q: Please tell us about the Catholic Health Association of the United States and those you serve?

A: CHAUSA represents Catholic health systems, nursing homes and other levels of care throughout the country. There are more than 600 hospitals and 1,600 long-term care facilities and one in every seven patients in a U.S. hospital each day is in a Catholic hospital.

Q: The Ethics and Public Policy Center released a statement regarding the ethics of vaccines. Can you tell us more about that and how those can help determine the ethics of getting the vaccine from a faith- based perspective?

A: There are a number of statements, nationally and internationally, by different Catholic groups. The consensus of most of these groups is that people should be getting the vaccines. There are a small number of theologians who are concerned about the fact that cells from terminated pregnancies were part of the development of the vaccines.

Q: As you mentioned, one major objection to getting the vaccine is that it is derived from cells from terminated pregnancies. Can you please shed some light on this and what has been determined by leaders in the Catholic faith?

A: It is not absolutely certain that this is the source of the cell lines, but it is likely that the original cells were from that source. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines used these historic cell lines in the research for the vaccines, but not in production. However, the current vaccines do not actually contain any such cells. There is a great deal of information about the role of these cell lines in the development, testing and production of the various COVID-19 vaccines. The distance between when the cells were first collected and now is very significant. An important question is, “Does getting the vaccine mean you are supporting abortion?” The answer is clearly “NO”. Reframing the issue in another way, Catholic ethicists talk about moral responsibility and rights. There is a responsibility to the common good and the health of vulnerable people that is more important than individual rights.

Q: Is there any COVID-19 vaccine that has fetal cells in it?

A: No, there is not.

Q: We are also seeing some employers asking people requesting religious exemptions to sign a statement that they don’t take Tylenol, eat Kraft Mac and Cheese etc. as the same cell lines were used to test the safety of many products. Are you seeing that?

A: Yes, those cell lines have been used to develop and test many medications, vaccines and other products.

Q: Do other major religions have statements on the COVID-19 vaccine as well?

A: Very few major religions, with the exception of Christian Scientists, object to vaccines. Most are supportive of vaccination and some have issued statements indicating that there is no religious exemption in their religious tradition. Even groups, such as Jewish and Muslim leaders that have some pork -related concerns do not object to vaccination. Most of the reasons people are giving for not getting the vaccine are very difficult to sustain as a religious exemption. But most employers are considering religious exemptions on a case- by- case basis, especially in light of staffing shortages.

Q: Is there any religion that has raised sustained objection to COVID-19 vaccinations?

A: Apart from Christian Scientists there are individual clergy and small communities that object, but they would be a small minority.

Q: Is there an ethical perspective on mandates?

A: Many Catholic health systems have made vaccination a condition of employment. Most are seeing about 5% of their employees requesting religious exemptions, which they are then evaluating individually.

Q: What advice do you have when a manager is having a one-on-one conversation with someone requesting a religious exemption?

A: We have seen different approaches depending upon the particular healthcare system. There are two key questions: “Is this a firmly held religious belief?” and “Can you demonstrate that this deeply held belief has been exercised consistently over time?”

Q: Is there a way to increase vaccine uptake among people who say they have a religious objection?

A: It is a challenge. The best thing is to have a rational, meaningful conversation based in facts and not just misinformation or opinions. However, many people will not engage in that conversation because their reasons are not religious in nature.

Q: Do you have observations about the role of religious leaders in promoting vaccination?

A: Yes, when we look at vulnerable communities where there are not trusting consistent relationships with healthcare providers, it does help to work with faith communities at the local level. This can increase the level of trust. Most religious leaders support vaccination

Q: There are Catholic Bishops in at least two states who are supplying religious exemptions. What is the best way to handle that?

A: The majority of Catholic Bishops in U.S. are neutral and are not speaking out about the vaccines. There is a small vocal minority that opposes vaccines for COVID-19, and another group that actively supports vaccinations. We recommend that as employers review requests for religious exemptions they have two individuals read every application and if they have differing perspectives, a third person should read the application and decide. Again, the two questions are: “Is this a deeply held religious belief?” and “Has this belief been sustained over time?”

Q: Are the cell lines being discussed the same lines as those used in earlier vaccines for other diseases?

A: Yes, that is the case.