Vaccines Archives

Cultural gap between US and Rome clear in recent reactions to Biden

May 9, 2021

Abortion is not the conversation about Biden that’s prevailed here in Rome over the past week, where the top note instead has been praise for the president’s decision to waive intellectual property rights for Covid vaccines in order to speed up distribution to poorer nations.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Pope doubles down in press for equity in vaccine distribution

May 9, 2021

To make his point, the pope joined a concert hosted by Selena Gomez and organized by Prince Harry And Meghan Markle, with a lineup that included Jennifer Lopez, Foo Fighters, David Letterman, Olivia Munn and Sean Penn.

By Inés San Martín

Catholics debate Biden’s waiver of property rights for vaccines

May 8, 2021

Two U.S. faith organizations on the front lines of the global coronavirus response stand with the federal government in support of waiving intellectual property (IP) protections for COVID-19 vaccines, in an effort to help poorer countries get more doses.

By John Lavenburg

Move to waive vaccine patents is good step, says Catholic health official

May 7, 2021

The Biden administration’s May 5 announcement that it supports waiving intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines — as a means to expand the vaccine’s production and distribution — is a move the Vatican has been suggesting.

By Carol Zimmermann

Vatican conference to discuss ‘mind, body, and soul’ of medical advances

May 6, 2021

On Thursday, the Fifth International Vatican Conference will begin to explore “the mind, body and soul,” bringing together religious leaders, scientists and personalities from sports and Hollywood.

By Inés San Martín

‘Front-line’ priests should have priority access to vaccine, cardinal says

May 4, 2021

riests who are ministering “on the front lines” in parishes, prisons and hospitals should be considered “at-risk” and receive priority in COVID-19 vaccination programs, said the head of the Vatican Congregation for Clergy.

By Carol Glatz

Catholic doctor weighs in on COVID-19 vaccines for children

May 4, 2021

Vaccines for children are getting attention with questions about when will they be available, if they are necessary to end the pandemic and if Catholic parents should inoculate their children.

By Katie Scott

Momentum grows for closing gaps in US vaccine requirements

May 1, 2021

A law adopted this week in Connecticut adds momentum to the push to strengthen vaccination requirements for schoolchildren, but efforts to give families more leeway are brewing in statehouses around the country in debates that go back more than a century.

By Dave Collins, David Crary and Michael Melia