Here's how the COVID-19 vaccine impacts churches
Faith-based organizations should plan to keep all COVID-19 precautions in place at least until the end of 2021.
One word is top of mind for many Americans right now: Vaccine.
Millions of people have either already received immunization against COVID-19, are in the midst of a two-dose regimen or are anxiously awaiting their turn for the shot that promises the return to a somewhat normal life.
For churches, that means updating plans and procedures to reflect this reshaped reality for their employees, volunteers and members. First and foremost, it’s important for churches to continue to follow local, state and federal health regulations as they make decisions about how best to protect congregations and staff.
What follows are some other issues for church leaders to consider.
How the vaccines work
By March 2021, the federal government was sending 2 million vaccine doses to states every day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had authorized and recommended three vaccines to prevent COVID-19: one from Pfizer, one from Moderna, and one from Johnson & Johnson. (The government halted distribution of the J&J vaccine in April 2021 to study a possible blood clot complication.)
People seeking a vaccination generally do not get to choose which shot they get. Most take whichever option is available at their chosen vaccination site.
Scientists say recipients should be fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose. We don’t yet know how long the immunity will last, but researchers estimate it will be about a year.
The three vaccines work differently from each other. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines contain messenger RNA (mRNA), which is an organic compound that instructs the cells in the body to make the virus’s distinctive “spike” protein. This causes the body to make copies of the protein, which teaches the immune system how to protect itself against the virus. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, however, is what is known as a vector vaccine. It uses a harmless cold virus to deliver a gene that carries the blueprint for the spike protein found on the surface of the coronavirus.
An additional note on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine: It uses cells that are descended from tissue taken from a 1973 elective abortion that took place in the Netherlands. Johnson & Johnson did issue a clarifying statement that although an abortion-derived cell line is used in production, there is not fetal tissue in its vaccine. However, this may remain a concern for some people as they decide whether to be vaccinated.
While people who have had COVID-19 appear to be protected from contracting it again for a period of time, doctors recommend that they still receive a vaccination as doctors don’t know how long those patients are protected from becoming sick again. Researchers do not yet know whether people who have been vaccinated are still able to spread the disease. Preliminary studies have shown that they are less likely to spread it to others, but the CDC recommends that vaccinated individuals still wear masks and practice social distancing.
This is especially important information for churches to consider when planning summer and fall events. Until the United States reaches herd immunity from COVID-19, which scientists believe will occur when 70% of the population is vaccinated, church staff, volunteers and members are still at risk of spreading the disease.
Mandating vaccines for employees
Some organizations are considering requiring their employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Churches should consult with their attorney to ensure they are following guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) with regards to the rights of employees and any mandatory vaccination program.
If a church does decide to mandate vaccinations for employees or volunteers, church leaders should keep in mind that vaccines will need to be readily available. This could mean giving staff time off to get the shots and recover or even working with local authorities to host a vaccine clinic on site. Churches may also need to reimburse staff for costs associated with the vaccination. While the U.S. government is using taxpayer dollars to give vaccines to all Americans, some vaccine providers may charge an administrative fee. Churches should check with their health insurance provider to find out whether the carrier will cover this cost.
Churches also need to consider that some employees and volunteers may decline the vaccine for religious or medical reasons. It follows that churches need to be prepared to make accommodations unless the organization can demonstrate an undue hardship. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provide exemptions from mandatory vaccination and require reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities (including any medical contraindication for the vaccine) or sincerely held religious objections. Employee requests for medical exemptions should be treated like any other ADA request for accommodation. State laws may require additional steps.
Mandating vaccines for members
The big challenge for houses of worship is striking a balance between keeping members safe and respecting their rights. While churches may want to mandate the vaccine for all members, that is likely to be not feasible or enforceable. For one thing, as of this article’s publication date, there are no vaccines currently available for children younger than 16. Trials are currently underway for children 12 and older, but it may be a long time before there is anything available to protect younger children from COVID-19.
There’s also the matter of optics: If a church or other faith organizations wants its community members to view it as open and welcoming, consider whether it would be appropriate to require prospective new members to show their vaccination card before entering the building.
While President Joe Biden has pledged that all Americans will have access to vaccines by the end of May 2021, it’s still unclear how long it will take before everyone in each congregation will be able to become fully vaccinated. Therefore, it’s a good idea to plan to keep all COVID-19 precautions in place (masking, sanitizing, etc.) at least until the end of 2021. If the United States reaches herd immunity sooner than that, congregations can then ease up on restrictions.
Guidance for the rest of the year
Over the past year, churches and other religious organizations have admirably managed a steep learning curve as they served their congregations in ways never before considered. Our nation is full of hope right now, but we’re not out of the danger zone yet. As church leaders look ahead to 2021 and beyond, here are a few suggestions for continuing to meeting the spiritual needs of your members in a safe way.
- Emphasize outdoor events. Last summer, faith groups got creative by taking worship services and other activities outdoors. Since doctors don’t yet know how much COVID-19 will still be spreading this spring and summer, organizations that can’t put off event planning any longer should return to some of the great ideas from last summer.
- Establish a group of vaccinated volunteers to assist other members of the congregation with errands and other tasks. As Americans become fully vaccinated, they are becoming more confident about going out in public. However, there are still people who are waiting their turn and may be having difficulties accomplishing day-to-day tasks. Faith groups can put their vaccinated members to work in reaching out to others.
- Continue or expand online options for worship services and other activities. Many church members may have appreciated the opportunity to worship from their homes in recent months, especially those who had difficulties getting out even before the pandemic. As you return to in-person worship and other activities, don’t leave those people behind. Consider making online worship a regular part of the routine from now on.
The COVID-19 pandemic and recovery efforts are changing daily, and it can be challenging to keep up with the latest news and recommendations. As faith groups update policies and procedures, they need to stay in contact with experts such as lawyers and insurers. These professionals can offer advice for keeping staff, volunteers and members safe and informed.
Guy Russ is assistant vice president of risk control at Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. To reach this contributor, send an email to corporatecommunications@churchmutual.com.
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