On Tuesday, May 11, the Moldovan authorities have launched the third and final stage of the national anti-COVID vaccination campaign, which started on March 2, this year. According to the Ministry of Health, since the beginning of the campaign, 684,970 doses of vaccines have entered the country, the number of vaccinated people reaching 185,292 (just over 4%). While health authorities plan to immunize at least 70% of the population, opinion polls show that only 30% of the population accept to be vaccinated.

Do You Want to Get Vaccinated?

Vlad Mihaila, priest, Metropolitan Church of Bessarabia

I went through COVID and Intensive Care. I got recently vaccinated. I received the first dose and now I’m waiting for the second. It’s not an easy decision. I know that opinions in society are divided, including some church leaders that have divided opinions about the vaccine, but the Church as a whole cannot ban the vaccine. The trust of the people in the Church is great and it would be good that priests talk to the Christians about the purpose of vaccination. Everything that helps life is blessed by God. Fanaticism never pleased God. Yes, there may be different opinions or doubts, but not bigotry.

Daniela Terzi-Barbăroșie, psychologist

Two weeks ago, my husband and I were vaccinated. We studied the research data on COVID-19 vaccines and, after consulting with doctors, we decided that vaccination is the only solution we have to overcome this crisis in which we are trapped… We do not have another way out of the situation than vaccination, except in specific medical cases where the vaccine is not recommended. The pandemic period has had and still has serious consequences for life, health, education, culture, economy, freedom of movement, etc. Every pandemic day is extremely exhausting. I want us to return to our normal lives, to see again our loved ones and the places we like. By vaccination, in fact, we get to fully exercise our right to live.

Ștefan Andronic, teacher, choir master

I’m not ready to say yes yet. First of all, because I have some health problems. And secondly, because there are more questions regarding these vaccines. They are made in hurry… I am aware that the situation is not simple, COVID has killed over 6 million people in the world, but the problem is that it is not clear what effects the vaccines will have over time and what will be the consequences. Also, the competition between vaccine manufacturers: today one vaccine is good, tomorrow – another, it is just confusing. If one has decided to vaccinate, one wants to know that he is not wrong because his life is at stake.

Eugen Doga, composer

Personally, I’m getting ready for vaccination. I hope that in the coming days I will get immunized too. I consciously and responsibly made the decision to get vaccinated, after going through this ruthless pandemic. I weighed the consequences and decided that the vaccine is the only thing that can protect me from new possible contamination. COVID-19 is a great catastrophe for all mankind. We must do everything we can to protect our lives and health. I chose to get vaccinated. I don’t think there is another solution.

Lazăr Borșevschi, priest, Metropolitan Church of Moldova

I received the first dose of immunization in Romania … I accepted the vaccination as soon as it became possible, after, last August, I was infected with COVID-19 and my family was infected as well. I tell Christians exactly what I think after I have gone through the illness. Faith teaches a basic thing, God made us free. But let’s not forget that free will implies having responsibility for the family, for those close to us, for those around us. As for me, I decided to listen to the scientific world that recommends vaccination. In general, the official attitude of the church towards vaccination is understandable. The church is not a priest, a monk, or a group of priests. At the official level, both the Russian Church and the Romanian Church, which are close to us, make recommendations. It remains for us to obey. If we obey, we can move forward, if not, we will become divided. God does always teach us to value life, so everything that serves life must be praised.