Vatican OKs Receiving COVID-19 Vaccines, Even If Research Involved Fetal Tissue

The Vatican said Monday that it is “morally acceptable” to use COVID-19 vaccines, even if they used “cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process.” Pope Francis, who approved the statement, is seen here in January.

Andrew Medichini / AP

The Vatican says that it’s “morally acceptable” to receive a vaccination for COVID-19, even if the vaccine’s research or production involved using cell lines derived from aborted fetuses, given the “grave danger” of the pandemic.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican office charged with promoting and defending church morals and traditions, said in a document released Monday that “when ethically irreproachable Covid-19 vaccines are not available … it is morally acceptable to receive Covid-19 vaccines that have used cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process.”

Pope Francis approved the text on Thursday, Vatican News reported.