Recently the Anglican Health Network had briefing sessions with the World health Organisation (WHO) looking at the global response to the pandemic and what part the church can play as the vaccination process begins.

Dr Sylvie Breehan and Dr Rosalind Lewis took part in the briefing, which outlined the current situation throughout the world and how this has impacted upon the poorest and most marginalised.

The Current Situation

With over 67 million cases and 1.5 million deaths to date, this continues to be a volatile situation in many parts of the world, especially as the northern hemisphere moves into winter.

The WHO have been reflecting on what has taken place to date, and observed that many countries who were not used to epidemic situations were caught out by surprise, with health systems becoming rapidly overwhelmed as nearly 20% of cases are presenting with severe symptoms that requires 2-8 weeks of hospitalisation (unlike influenza which may result in a few days for severe cases). There has been severe pressure on equipment and supplies, with 14% of cases being front line health workers who have been infected while carrying out their job. As we saw in NZ, there has been a major impact on the diagnosis and treatment of other health conditions as the need to respond to COVID-19 has resulted in other essential services being cancelled. The effect of lockdowns, travel restrictions, job losses and so on have meant that all parts of society have been affected. Although many countries have moved to try and mitigate these effects, there has been an increase in poverty and inequity.

Vaccines

Now we are seeing vaccines starting to come into the picture, but the WHO are warning that this will not be without its issues. There are concerns around:

• Nationalism - "us first, others last"
• Access - rich vs poor
• Security vs public health impact
• Wastage (too much vaccine stock, not being handled correctly etc. leading to waste)
• Low public trust in safety and efficacy
• Harmful distribution e.g. people manufacturing and selling "fake" vaccines. 

There is a complexity of steps and process before someone can be safely vaccinated, and other issues to consider such as how to prioritise it, making sure it is safe and works, that it can be distributed properly and so on. Who the vaccine gets given to depends on the required aims in particular settings: 

• If it is the reduce the death rate, it needs to be given to the most vulnerable first.
• If it is to decrease the number of cases (and burden on the health system) then it should be given to those who are transmitting it the most (children and younger people)
• If it is to protect the health care system, them health and other essential workers need to be targeted. 

Other things that will need to be considered are when to vaccinate: when there is an outbreak? Preventatively - all year around? Should there be vaccination campaigns? 

The WHO have organised an ACT Partnership to help increase collaboration on vaccines. To date 164 vaccines are in pre-evaluation with 34 currently in trials. In the world of vaccines usually only 7% in pre-clinical studies succeed with the next phase only having a 35% success rate, which is why it is encouraging that so many are currently in development. Some vaccines may be better for particular groups of people, so the more that are available the better.

What about the Church?

If you have got this far, you may be wondering "what does this have to do with the Church"?

The World Health Organisation was keen to talk to the Anglican Church as we are seen as trusted voices in the community who can help give clear messages about the importance of vaccinations, especially in setting where there may be some confusion and misinformation. Many church bodies in the world are directly involved in providing health care and WHO are encouraging them to not drop the ball on other services they provide, while maintaining advances they have made while dealing with COVID-19. 

We also need to be part of the messaging encouraging people to use all the tools in their tool box: keeping up contact tracing; isolation and quarantine when required; keeping up our handwashing; social distancing; managing crowded spaces and so on. Remember that any successful vaccine is not the only tool to use. 

But, there is also more we can do - especially in New Zealand where we are in one of the few places that has been able to get back to a relative "normal". 

We can pray and act in ways that respond to the whole person and the whole community, looking at how we take care of mental, spiritual, physical aspects that all impact on health. This virus is so much more than people becoming ill or even dying - it is about health and a call to bring people to a new wholeness.

There is one particular challenge for us to act on: how can we ensure that the most vulnerable in our own communities and in other parts of the world get access to the resources and support they need? 

We have always had a strong advocacy role, speaking for those who can't speak for themselves and putting our money where our mouth is to make a difference. How can we advocate this with Governments at home and internationally? What messages and practical resources do we need to give to our partners such as mission and other agencies working to relieve poverty and injustice? What could we do to ensure that vaccines are available to those who need them, not just to those who make the most noise and can afford to pay for it?

Two of our 5 marks of mission are:

• To respond to human needs by loving service;
• To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation

...what will we do?

Action

1. Talk about this in your own faith communities - what can you do that can make a difference?
2. Get in touch with aid and mission organisations you support and ask what their plans are to respond to COVID-19 inequities where they are involved
3. Write to your MP and/or the Hon Mania Mahuta (Minister of Foreign Affairs) to ask what our Government is planning on the world stage to support access to vaccinations and other resources for vulnerable people.

Anglican Resources for Social Justice Website

• The full set of slides from the presentation can be found here: https://anglicanalliance.org/world-health-organization-briefs-the-anglican-communion-on-the-current-state-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-and-vaccine-development/
• The Anglican Alliance also has COVID-19 resources here https://anglicanalliance.org/covid-19-resources-hub/ 
• WHO will be developing information for faith communities around vaccines (to add to their other guidance for faith based organisations https://www.who.int/teams/risk-communication/faith-based-organizations-and-faith-leaders