We’re not throwing away our shot
January 21, 2021
We are committed to keeping our staff, clients, and community safe. Lin Manuel Miranda’s musical Hamilton says it best: we are not throwing away our shot. Thanks to our partnership with Providence Health & Services, all staff members at The Northwest Catholic Counseling Center (NCC) have received their first round of the COVID-19 vaccine!
NCC follows the science and county, state, and national guidelines very closely. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective, and are imperative to protect others from COVID-19. Founded upon Catholic Social Teaching principles, we also follow Catholic and other ecumenical organizations closely. The United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released this statement: “Being vaccinated safely against COVID-19 should be considered an act of love of our neighbor and part of our moral responsibility for the common good.” Religious leaders throughout the world have deemed the vaccine morally permissible and have advised and encouraged their followers to get vaccinated when it is their turn so they can protect lives.
Our staff members are committed to protecting themselves and their families. One staff member says, “Getting vaccinated this weekend was such a relief – to know I’m protecting myself from this awful virus but also protecting my family. My husband is a cancer survivor, and my elderly mom is part of my ‘bubble.'”
Another staff member shared the importance of protecting their clients: “I believe protecting myself and my clients is very important, and that the vaccine is what is needed to get back to normal. I encourage all to get this vaccine, as soon as you are able to get it!”
Resources for the COVID-19 Vaccine:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Religious Ethics of the COVID-19 Vaccine:
Archdiocese of Portland: Letter from Archbishop Sample
Catholic Church: Vatican: OK to get virus vaccines using abortion cell lines
Islam: ‘Saving lives is an act of worship’ – leading scholar urges Muslims to have COVID vaccine
