SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 23, 2021 (Gephardt Daily) — Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are being encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
“COVID-19 vaccines are becoming available in many places throughout the world,” said a news release from the LDS Church. “All missionaries and prospective missionaries are encouraged to safeguard themselves and others by being vaccinated. Individuals are responsible to make their own decisions about vaccination; see First Presidency statement, Jan. 19, 2021.”
Under the direction of their mission leaders, mission medical coordinators are monitoring the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine in their mission and informing missionaries when they may receive it.
“Young missionaries in the United States who will travel to a mission outside their home country on or after Aug. 1, should be vaccinated before traveling,” the news release said. “Senior missionaries may travel to their assigned mission, where visa and travel conditions permit, after they have been vaccinated.”
Missionaries who have begun a COVID-19 vaccination series should complete it before traveling, the news release said.
“Missionaries who choose not to receive the required immunizations, which will now include the COVID-19 vaccination, will be assigned to a mission in their home country in accordance with existing Church policies,” the news release said. “As the COVID-19 vaccination becomes more widely available in other countries, these missionaries will be asked to be vaccinated before leaving their home country.”
