Responses to common questions on the COVID-19 vaccinations.
For answers to questions on the Mark of the Beast and End Time Events, see this article published by the Biblical Research Institute in June 2021.
Q: When we study the Bible, we are told to study for ourselves, and not to just take someone's word for it. But regarding medical things people are being criticized and even ridiculed for examining it for themselves. Shouldn't critical investigation be welcomed in medicine as well as biblical study? Careful analytical thinking is important in every field of study. Use of ridicule is never appropriate. In doing careful analytical thinking it is important to use data that is clear and accurate, based on valid methods of research. In doing research on vaccines a system of double-blind investigation is [...]
Q: If we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Ps. 139:14), am I showing a lack of faith by taking the vaccination, rather than relying on “natural” remedies like rest, exercise, hydrotherapy, and vitamins? It is not a lack of faith to make use of valid medical science in the treatment of disease. Rather, it is a thoughtful application of knowledge that God has graciously given through careful research and study. Vaccination is not actually a treatment for a disease, but rather is a preventative, triggering the body’s natural immune system to be ready if you become infected. [...]
Vaccination: A Biblical and Theological Reflection The word vaccination does not occur in the Bible, as is the case with many other important health terms like vitamins, transfusion, high blood pressure, kidney transplant, injection, pills, and so on. In the Bible there are no Mothers Against Drunk Driving groups, anti-smoking campaigns, instructions on gym classes or breathing fresh air, drinking 6–8 glasses of water every day, washing your hands before each meal, brushing your teeth, and so on. We could create a much longer list of such good practices not verbally addressed in the Holy Scriptures. What’s in Your Bible? That [...]
North American Division Position on Requests for Religious Exemptions to Vaccine Requirements Voted recommendations to NAD Administration regarding requests for religious exemptions to vaccine requirements: The North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (NAD) is committed to sharing hope and wholeness through the healing ministry of Christ by promoting the Church’s historic health message. This includes caring for our own bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19,20) and ministering to the health of others within our community (Isaiah 58). In line with this commitment, the NAD fully supports the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s statement encouraging “responsible immunization/vaccination,” and as [...]
Q: What can be said about long-term effects of the vaccine that may take years to discover? The potential long-term effects of vaccination will be monitored and released as time goes on, and it's useful to compare what we do now know about the effects of disease. The short term effects of COVID are most have one to two weeks of illness, about 10% need hospitalization effects of COVID are most have one to two weeks of illness, about 10% need hospitalization and 1.5 to 2.5% die. We are still learning about the long-term effects of a COVID infection. [...]
Q: Why were people with autoimmune health issues told that they should not get the vaccine in the trials? That is how clinical trials are set up. After the early phases of testing, they include those with other serious health issues. The first clinical trials have exclusion criteria that are meant to protect the vulnerable, including those with immune compromise or immune suppression treatment, those with autoimmune disease, history of anaphylaxis or angioedema, pregnancy, lactation, cancer, serious psychiatric illness, bleeding disorders, chronic respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, severe obesity, alcohol abuse, and injection drug users. After the initial phase 1 [...]
Q: What are the symptoms of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) following Janssen COVID-19 vaccine? A rare adverse event has been reported through the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) has been reported after viral vector vaccines (J&J and Astra-Zeneca). Symptoms for CVST and blood clots include severe headache, blurry vision, shortness of breath, fainting, loss of consciousness, and weakness. The incidence of CVST or thrombocytopenia following vaccination is much less than from a COVID infection, birth control pills, smoking, or heparin therapy. Response by Jeffrey Kuhlman, MD, Senior Vice President and [...]
Q: Can you explain breakthrough infections. If you’re going to get COVID anyway, why get the vaccine? Breakthrough infections are when an already vaccinated person gets infected. This is expected to occur with any vaccination program since no vaccine is 100% effective at preventing infection. Most of these cases are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms only, and are rarely sick enough to need hospitalization. So it is still valuable to receive the vaccine to prevent severe illness and death. We are continuing to learn more about who may be at higher risk of experiencing a breakthrough infection. [...]
Q: Does the vaccine protect against all variants? The vaccines which are based on the “original” SARS-CoV-2 virus have continued to be successful in protecting against variant viruses because the variant viruses are still “similar enough” that the body’s immune response is able to recognize the viral threat. However, as newer (and more different looking) variant viruses arise, then we would expect the vaccines to protect less, as the immune system will not be able to recognize the viruses as well. Q: The variants seem to be constantly changing into newer variants or strains and the vaccine has not [...]
