Article published by Iton Gadol on October 31, 2022.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) organized a seminar on the importance of vaccination and convened on this occasion to highlight the role of faith actors in promoting vaccination in society.

The event brought together religious leaders from the main faith traditions in the region, members of the national Interreligious Councils and regional networks of women of faith and interreligious youth, representatives of the Ministries of Health of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, PAHO immunization and communication focal points, and officials from partner organizations.

The objective of the meeting was to endorse the role of religious leaders in the Americas as promoters of vaccination in their faith communities, to improve the rates of coverage and/or acceptance of vaccines, both against COVID-19, and for the routine immunization throughout the life course.

The panelists spoke from their specialty and religious faith.

Chief Rabbi Isaac Sacca was summoned as one of the seminar’s panelists, representing the Jewish community in Latin America.

The Rabbi commented on four ideas that call us to preserve health through religion. The first is that vaccination is prevention and taking care of health is a Divine commandment. The second, to ensure others’ health, providing all the tools so that everyone can access vaccination (both economically and at the level of knowledge and information) because this is how the precept of loving one’s neighbor is fulfilled. The third has to do with scientific evidence and the ability to use it to convey reassurance and reliable information to others to raise awareness. Finally, he emphasized that there are issues on which we cannot have differences, beyond religious creeds or political parties, and one of them is health care, both individually and collectively.

Dr. Daniel Salas, head of the Comprehensive Family Immunization Unit of the Department of Family, Health Promotion and Life Course (FPL/IM) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and World Health Organization (WHO). In his words, Dr. Salas highlighted the collaboration between faith actors, leaders of different religions and public health personnel, considering that it is essential to treat communities in spaces of mutual understanding and respect.

Elias Szczytnicki, regional secretary general of Religions for Peace Latin America and the Caribbean, stressed that vaccination is a human right and is part of the objectives of sustainable development.

Lucia De Oliveira, regional adviser of the Immunization Unit at PAHO, elaborated on the situation of the regional immunization program and the interventions made by PAHO to increase the demand for vaccines.

Reverend Harold Segura, director of Faith and Development for World Vision Latin America and the Caribbean, provided concrete examples of how faith can protect the lives of all. He also emphasized that we can use theology to come to an understanding and agreement that God is love and promote this positive vision to create a framework of love, solidarity and protection. He highlighted the importance of faith actors as informants to help promote vaccination.

Source: www.itongadol.com