Vaccination and religion

Vaccination and religion have interrelations of varying kinds. No major religion prohibits vaccinations, and some consider it an obligation because of the potential to save lives.[1] However, some people cite religious adherence[2] as a basis for opting to forego vaccinating themselves or their children.[3] Many such objections are pretextual: in Australia, anti-vaccinationists founded the Church of Conscious Living, a "fake church",[4] leading to religious exemptions being removed in that country, and one US pastor was reported to offer vaccine exemptions in exchange for online membership of his church.[5]

  1. ^ McNeil, Donald G. Jr. (26 April 2019). "Religious Objections to the Measles Vaccine? Get the Shots, Faith Leaders Say". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  2. ^ "Parents Fake Religion To Avoid Vaccines". CBS News / AP. October 17, 2007.
  3. ^ Medew, Julia (2015-01-28). "Anti-vaccination group encourages parents to join church". Sydney Morning Herald.
  4. ^ "Anti-vaccination group encourages parents to join fake church". Sydney Morning Herald. 2015-01-28. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  5. ^ Jenkins, Cameron (15 September 2021). "Pastor offers to sign vaccine exemptions in exchange for becoming online member of his church". The Hill (newspaper).