Tam asks faith leaders to remain ‘vigilant’, promote vaccine acceptance

Canadian faith leaders have an important role to play in promoting COVID-19 vaccines, including helping their members overcome vaccine hesitancy.

That was the message Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, delivered to more than 1,300 participants of an online information event last Wednesday.

The event was arranged by the Canadian Council of Churches, Canadian Interfaith Conversation and Canadian Multifaith Federation, at the request of the Privy Council and Public Health Agency of Canada.

In her remarks, Tam said combating the novel coronavirus is a “whole of government, whole of society effort.”

As “trusted voices” in their communities, faith leaders are “instrumental” in that effort, since they “know the hearts and minds of their members” and are often “called on for guidance.”

Faith groups can help battle the virus by sharing credible information about vaccines with their members, she said, including dispelling fears about their safety.

They can also help by staying “vigilant” and encouraging congregations to maintain safe practices (social distancing, hand hygiene and mask wearing).

By doing this, it will not only help prevent the spread of virus, it will also give vaccines a “bit of a runway” to get going, she added.

Tam said faith groups also have an important role to play by supporting members who are struggling due to the pandemic, especially those who are elderly, vulnerable or dealing with mental health issues.

“Maintaining social, and emotional and spiritual closeness is more important than ever,” she said. “Your leadership is vital for supporting and building resilience in your communities as we move through this pandemic and beyond.”

Noting some communication materials about vaccines might need to be translated or adapted for different faith and cultural groups, Tam said the federal government is open to providing financial support in such efforts.

She also said Ottawa is open to working with faith groups to use their facilities as vaccination sites.

However, she added, it’s not practical now, since the “first two vaccines are tricky to handle . . . maybe in the future as more vaccines become available.”

Think of others

As to whether clergy might be put on a priority list for getting the vaccine, Tam said it might be possible, if they are involved in supporting people in long-term care homes, homeless shelters or other services to marginal and vulnerable people.

She also assured faith leaders no animal products or fetal cells were used in the production of the two current vaccines.

Bottom of Form

When asked when religious groups might see a return to in-person worship services, Tam noted the decision is up to provincial public health authorities.

Her own view is “right now is definitely not the time,” with the pandemic surging in some parts of the country.

“It’s really important to follow local public health advice,” Tam said, adding: “The best thing to do is to reduce the number of contacts.”

All pandemics come to an end, she said, “and this one will as well.”

In remarks at the conclusion of the event, Ian Shugart, Clerk of the Privy Council, noted faith groups can contribute to dealing with the pandemic by “inspiring people to action on behalf of others” while showing “none of us is self-sufficient.”