WCC NEWS: Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton reflects on how churches can head off vaccine hesitancy

Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton is ecumenical officer for the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and presiding bishop of the Fifth Episcopal District. Below, she shares her reflections on the vital role of churches in reducing vaccine hesitancy and increasing vaccine equity. Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, ecumenical officer for the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Alabama (USA). Photo: courtesy of bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton 08 July 2021 What are some reasons people have vaccine hesitancy in Alabama (USA), where you are based? Bishop Jefferson-Snorton: There are a number of reasons people are hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine. First, some think the vaccine was made too quickly, because they lack an understanding of vaccine development and ongoing scientific research that enabled this particular vaccine to be produced using already-tested technology. Second, the vaccine became a political issue. Some people believe the vaccine is a statement of support for a particular political ideology. Third, particularly for African-Americans, there is hesitancy based on historic health disparities and undisclosed, unauthorized research and experimentation on Black people. There is fear that the vaccine is a repeat and has consequences/side effects of which we are not being informed. Finally, many people have heard various conspiracy-type theories about the vaccine related to the reasons I cited above.   What are some positive ways churches are helping people overcome their hesitancy? Bishop Jefferson-Snorton: I divide this into three main areas. Information and education. Churches can provide accurate information to people about this vaccine, its development, and what it does and does not do. Workshops, webinars, flyers, bulletin boards, social media, etc. are all a great means of this information/education campaign. Access. Churches can assist people with making appointments, set up "pop-up" vaccine sites in their parking lots, and/or provide transportation to vaccine appointments. Networking and partnerships. Churches should develop partnerships with local, regional and/or state health agencies, clinics, hospitals, other healthcare providers and other churches to accomplish the two initiatives identified.   What can we pray for you and your churches as you continue to face these challenges?  Bishop Jefferson-Snorton: Pray for energy to continue to inform, educate and provide resources to congregations and communities. Some messages have to be repeated over and over again. Pray for those most vulnerable to the coronavirus, and perhaps fearful to get the vaccine because they have so many other health issues. Pray for the sick. Pray for the grieving. Pray that we can hear God’s voice as we live into new ways of being the church of Jesus Christ in a world that has been altered by this pandemic.   WCC member churches in USA WCC Central committee meeting 2021 WCC resources on the COVID-19 pandemic See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland