The Vatican COVID-19 commission promotes access to vaccines for the most vulnerable

The Vatican's COVID-19 commission said Tuesday it is working to promote equal access to the coronavirus vaccine, especially for those who are most vulnerable.

In a note published on December 29, the commission, formed at the request of Pope Francis in April, declared its six goals in relation to the COVID-19 vaccine.

These goals will serve as guidelines for the Commission's work, with the general intention of obtaining "a safe and effective vaccine for Covid-19 so that treatment is available to all, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable ..."

The commission's head, Cardinal Peter Turkson, said in a December 29 press release that members “are grateful to the scientific community for developing the vaccine in record time. It is now up to us to make sure it is available to all, especially the most vulnerable. It is a question of justice. This is the time to show that we are one human family “.

Member of the Commission and Vatican official Fr. Augusto Zampini said that "the way vaccines are distributed - where, to whom and for how much - is the first step for world leaders to take in their commitment to equity and justice as principles for building a post-world -Best Covid ".

The commission plans to carry out an ethical-scientific evaluation of the "quality, methodology and price of the vaccine"; work with local churches and other church groups to prepare the vaccine; collaborate with secular organizations in global vaccine administration; deepen "the understanding and commitment of the Church in protecting and promoting the dignity given by God to all"; and "lead by example" in equitable distribution of the vaccine and other treatments.

In the document of December 29, the Vatican Commission COVID-19, together with the Pontifical Academy for Life, reiterated Pope Francis' appeal that the vaccine be made available to all to avoid injustice.

The document also referred to a December 21 note from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on the morality of receiving certain COVID-19 vaccines.

In that note, the CDF stated that "it is morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process" when "ethically faultless Covid-19 vaccines are not available".

The Vatican commission on coronavirus said in its document that it considers it important that "a responsible decision" be made regarding vaccination and stressed "the relationship between personal health and public health".