Faith’s Role in Vaccinations on Campus

By: Natascha Lambing

Photographed by: Victoria Prieto

Prior to the start of the Fall 2021 semester, George Fox University (GFU) announced that it would not be requiring COVID-19 vaccinations of its students and staff, but would continue in its commitment to encouraging vaccinations, even providing an on-campus resource through a grant received by the The Interfaith Youth Core (IFCY).

Unlike public universities in Oregon, GFU has provided students with the option to remain unvaccinated. However, the University states that it is “strongly encouraging students and employees to get a COVID-19 vaccination.” This choice remains a relief to some, but a source of fresh anxiety for others as COVID-19 cases continue to be cause for concern. In the current social climate in which the COVID-19 vaccine has become heavily politically charged, GFU is a prime place to examine the interaction of faith and science.

Jere Witherspoon, has been observing this interaction closely in her role as Student Care and Student Life Operations Specialist. “What I see happening is people being unwilling to listen. If you listen to somebody’s story, it brings you into their experience,” Witherspoon said. Witherspoon’s own story is one that sheds valuable light on COVID-19’s impact.

This past summer Witherspoon’s husband had to be hospitalized for reasons unrelated to COVID-19. A local hospital bed could not be found and he was forced to visit a Salem intensive care unit. Once present, Witherspoon realized they “were on the front lines of COVID.” She recalled, “What we really witnessed was the decline of the mental state of our nurses and medical staff. [...] It was heartbreaking.” She recalls veteran nurses saying, “I’m so sorry that I can't give your husband the care he deserves, we just have sicker patients.”

It was through Witherspoon’s involvement that GFU received a grant through the IFCY to hold a free vaccination clinic on Sept. 15, providing students with an on-campus, easily accessible way to receive a vaccination.

The IFCY has worked to provide training and funding to religious organizations to encourage vaccinations among religious communities, saying that “[e]ven among vaccine refusers, faith-based approaches could be persuasive, with nearly one-fifth of vaccine refusers (19%) saying one or more faith-based approaches would make them more likely to get vaccinated.” This research has provided unique insight into the influence religious communities wield.

Furthermore, the IFCY’s research has found that since the previous chapter of the study conducted on religious views on the COVID-19 vaccine “changes in acceptance have come from decreases in hesitancy. The proportions of religious groups that say they will not get vaccinated have held steady since March. The highest refusal rate is still among white evangelical Protestants (24%).”

Given that GFU hosts a predominantly white population, and that it is additionally likely that many students’ religious views align with evangelical protestantism, it is unsurprising to hear that GFU’s vaccination rate was at around 70% in mid-September. An additional 3% plan to be vaccinated soon with about 13% saying they were unsure.

However, Brad Lau, Vice President of Student Life, who provided this data, noted that these numbers were likely higher as students have yet to update their status to the GFU. He said, “We are doing everything we possibly can to encourage vaccinations. We believe that [it’s] very important and the best way out of this pandemic and [for] protecting those we care about.” He is well aware of the tensions on the topic present at GFU but noted that the COVID-19 vaccine “isn’t antithetical to faith.”

For more information on potential upcoming on-campus vaccination opportunities, visit GFU’s website or contact Health and Counseling for concerns or questions regarding COVID-19.