Religious Perspectives on Vaccines
Christianity
There are many denominations of Christianity, most of which have positive beliefs associated with using vaccines. The Bible says "Love thy neighbor" (Grabenstein 2013); therefore in Christianity, immunization is a way to serve humanity to create better community health and herd immunity. Herd immunity is the idea that if the majority or all of a population gets immunized, then that community is protected against contracting that specific disease (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 2017).
There are a few denominations that take issue with getting immunized because of either personal preference or ingredients found in vaccines. Christian Scientists believe in spiritual healing over modern biomedical techniques. This group does not outright refuse vaccines, but they would rather find healing in prayer than in medicine (Grabenstein 2013). Catholics have concerns about the use of aborted fetal tissue as an ingredient in vaccines, so they recommend people find other solutions before going to vaccines (Grabenstein 2013). Catholics understand the importance of protecting individuals and their communities. Despite there being some sporadic opposition, the majority of the Christian denominations vaccinate themselves and their children.
Amish
In 2004, Laura Ballou did a study on Amish culture and what has changed in their communities in terms of medicine and their delivery of care. The Amish are a denomination of Christianity who historically have not allowed technology into their communities. In the past, they have not used electricity, cars, or advanced medical procedures because they were against their beliefs. Due to the advancements in technology and the push from non-Amish communities, there have been major changes in Amish communities. Many now allow technology, such as phones, at their places of business, however, they are still not allowed to have them in their homes (Ballou 2004). The medical care the Amish use in their communities consists of doctors of naturopathy who use herbology, iridology, massage therapy, and light therapy to deliver care. They also have what they call Amish chiropractors who utilize the method of “laying of the hands” (Ballou 2004), which is another way of saying manual care instead of technological care. However, 90% of the Amish that were part of Ballou's anthropological study on the correlation between their religion and modern medicine said they get over the counter drugs from non-Amish communities (Ballou 2004).
There have been many false claims that the Amish don’t get vaccinated. Many people believe that due to religious reasons, they choose not to vaccinate because that would be putting “man above God” (Grabenstein 2013). However, after several measles outbreaks in their communities, parents are choosing to vaccinate their children. They do not put their safety over their religious beliefs. Despite there being more Amish people getting immunized, there are still some who do not vaccinate, but their reasons are secular, not religious. The lack of immunization in some Amish communities may be due to their limited resources, access to care, and safety concerns (Grabenstein 2013).
Islam
Islam’s Holy Book called the Qur’an states that the consumption of pigs and other animals are forbidden. Similar to Judaism's dietary laws, Islam prohibits the ingestion of porcine gelatin which comes from pigskin, bones, and other tissues. Because some vaccines are made from porcine gelatin, there are claims that people who practice Islam don’t believe in getting vaccinated (Grabenstein 2013). However, there is a law of necessity in the Qur’an that states: “that which is necessary makes the forbidden permissible.” Therefore, if halal (permissible) animals are not available, it is not a sin to get vaccinated simply if they are not halal (Grabenstein 2013). It is more important to protect lives than it is to worry about the ingredients of vaccines. Religion is less of a factor in cases of immunization for very contagious and dangerous diseases in the Islamic religion.
In 2014, at the International Conference on Vaccination and Religion in Dakar, Senegal, there were many Muslim scholars and medical professionals that discussed how to protect the public from illness and epidemics. At this conference, there were representatives from the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and other large health organizations. According to Islamic texts, the Prophet Muhammad said, “There is no disease that God has created for which He has not made a cure that is known by some people,... except death" (Dakar Conference 2014). Therefore, if prevention techniques are available, they should be utilized. At the conference, they also stated that because scientific research has proven vaccines to be more than 90% safe, they are acceptable for human use (Dakar Conference 2014). It was declared that parents have a responsibility to their children to provide good health care among other things like a good education. Overall, Islam promotes being vaccinated to ensure a healthy community.
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Judaism
There have been recent outbreaks of measles in New York and New Jersey in Orthodox Jewish communities. It has been found that the reasons for the low vaccination rates in these communities are mostly not due to nonreligious factors (Chabin 2019). The Torah specifically says we must do what we can "to protect one's life" which is also known as Pikuah nefesh (Grabenstein 2013). Protecting life includes protecting oneself and ones children against destructive diseases like measles and mumps. The book in the Torah known as Leviticus says that disease prevention in the community is superior to individual prevention (herd immunity). Rabbi and physician Mosheh ben Maimon, who participated in an anthropological study on vaccinations and religion, said that "anyone who is able to save a life but fails to do so, violates, 'You shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor''' (Grabenstein 2013). Based on this testimony, it would be against religious beliefs to refrain from immunization.
Another part of Judaism is the idea of keeping kosher. Similar to the Islamic religion, there are dietary laws about eating certain foods like pork and shellfish. Animal gelatin from certain sources is not allowed to be eaten as it is considered impure and not considered kosher. However, cow or fish gelatin is considered kosher gelatin and is therefore allowed. It was concluded that these ingredients are only a problem if they are ingested. Therefore, anything injected does not break any dietary laws, especially if it is in an effort to save a life (Grabenstein 2013).
The measles outbreak in Orthodox Jewish communities was thought to be based on religious beliefs, but as it turns out, were mostly due to other determinants of health and non-religious beliefs. According to Joshua Williams, who studies the role of clergy concerning vaccinations, Jews who refuse to vaccinate their children in these communities "'tend to cite secular concerns about the safety of vaccines, the risk of autism and side effects, not religious doctrine'" (Chabin 2019). Although there is proof those other factors should not be of concern with vaccines, this research is focused on religion, and for these communities, religion is not posing a threat to immunization.
In addition to secular beliefs, Orthodox Jews have a different way of life that may prevent them from having access to vaccines due to different determinants of health. Traditionally, Orthodox Jewish families have larger families that have many children (anywhere from 3-12) that need to get vaccinated. With limited resources within the community and very large families, it is difficult to guarantee everyone is vaccinated in a timely manner (Chabin 2019). If one person in the community gets sick, everyone is at risk because the diseases are so contagious, especially ones like measles. Overall, the Jewish religion emphasizes the principle of living healthy lives and protecting oneself and ones community against disease.
