Faith-Based Organisations told COVID-19 vaccine cannot be evil

The President of the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, Sarju Prasad says whatever helps cure certain ailments is not evil and the COVID-19 vaccine must be welcomed.

Speaking to fijivillage, Prasad says he has heard that some people are hesitant to take the vaccine but adds religion and science compliment each other and every medicine is prepared for the betterment of human beings.

He says people have been taking other types of vaccines in the past and this is no different.

Prasad adds they are in full support of the Ministry of Health who are trying their best to keep Fijians safe from the virus.

The Methodist Church of Fiji is standing with the government in trying to get more people vaccinated when their time comes for vaccination.

General Secretary of the Methodist Church Reverend Iliesa Naivalu says the only way people can protect themselves and their families from the virus is to get vaccinated.

He says on their social media page last Sunday, he urged the ministers and members to be ready and get registered and take the vaccine when it is their turn.

Rev. Naivalu says although there is a lot of information floating around through social media, people must look at the reality of what is happening on the ground.

He says the vaccine has been approved by the World Health Organisation where it has undergone studies and investigations by thousands of doctors and scientist.

The General Secretary adds that Fiji is so fortunate that we are not facing what other countries are facing in terms of the increase in death and sickness numbers, and to keep Fiji this way, obedience is better than sacrifice.

Rev. Naivalu has also highlighted that the church is not against the virus or the vaccine as it was God that gave the doctors and scientists the knowledge to develop the vaccine.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says Fiji remains at risk of breaches at the border at any point in time and the danger of COVID-19 community cases is real.

Only 25,000 people have been registered for vaccination so far and Doctor Fong stresses that everyone should be encouraged to get vaccinated.

While speaking to the representatives of the faith based organisations, Doctor Fong says this is a difficult journey to navigate.

Doctor Fong says the border closures are also affecting many people in the country, and we have to protect the people from COVID-19 by vaccinating them so that we can engage in the world.

Doctor James Fong has also told the religious leaders and representatives that the COVID-19 vaccine cannot be evil and satanic.

He confirms they are currently struggling in trying to get people to register for the vaccination rollout.

Dr Fong says they have set up tents in strategic locations but they get the same hesitant remarks on the vaccine based on religion.

He has called on the religious leaders to assist in protecting the people of the country through vaccination and getting vaccinated is nothing new.

The Head of the Catholic Church in Fiji, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong says he thinks we should correct those who are calling the COVID-19 vaccine evil and satanic.

In an interview with fijivillage, Archbishop Chong says if something brings about good and is of good intention, it cannot be the work of evil.

He further says the vaccine is supposed to bring about good health and stopping the spread of the virus which is good.

The Archbishop adds God has gifted us with knowledge, intellect, ability to study and research which is meant to be at the service for the common good of all people and what comes from God brings about good.

He further says some religious bodies are saying they have their freedom and rights, however he says those rights and freedoms do not supercede other people’s rights and freedoms.

Archbishop Chong also highlighted that it is our moral obligation to get vaccinated.

He says after the Easter weekend he will register to get vaccinated.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong has told religious leaders and representatives that the COVID-19 vaccine cannot be evil.

While speaking during the Ministry of Health Information Session with Faith-Based Organisations at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Dr Fong says religious bodies need to understand the battle that the world is fighting because of this pandemic.

He says they are currently struggling in trying to get people to register for the vaccination rollout.

Dr Fong says they have set up tents in strategic locations but they get the same hesitant remarks on the vaccine.

He says these people base their reasoning on religion.

Dr Fong says we cannot stay contained and we have to move to protection.

The Permanent Secretary has pleaded with the religious heads and representatives to take into account the benefits and the good things about the vaccine that is being discussed with health professionals.

Meanwhile, majority of the representatives present at the session had positive remarks about Fiji acquiring the vaccine and rolling out with the registration process.

There were some concerning comments made by a church representative about praying and eating the right food to get better if we get COVID-19. We are currently trying to get his comments on what he is telling his congregation about COVID-19.