Catholic bishops in Iowa want their parishioners to get vaccinated. They are launching a multimedia campaign to achieve this.

The Four Dioceses of Iowa are teaming up with Catholic Charities to launch a multimedia campaign to convince Catholics and other Iowans to get vaccinated to help slow the spread of Covid-19.

“Despite its effectiveness, many members of the general population are reluctant to receive the vaccine,” reads a statement signed by the state’s four bishops, Archbishop Michael Jackels of Dubuque, Bishop R. Walker Nickless of Sioux City, Bishop Thomas Zinkula of Davenport and Bishop William Joensen of Des Moines.

“We reaffirm that vaccination has proven to be the most effective means of combating the virus which continues to affect and kill so many people,” the statement continued.

The Four Dioceses of Iowa are teaming up with Catholic Charities to launch a multimedia campaign to convince Catholics and other Iowans to get vaccinated.

Catholics have been shown to be more open to vaccination than some other religious groups. A August survey found that 82 percent of American Catholic adults reported receiving at least one dose of the vaccine, compared to 57 percent of white evangelical Christians.

Pope Francis has received at least two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine and in September he said he found opposition to the shots “a little strange”.

But some Catholic personalities in the USA and elsewhere have expressed skepticism about immunization, in some cases drawing scolding from church leaders.

In Australia, for example, Bishop James Foley said some Catholics were peddling disinformation on vaccines and urged them to stop. “It makes people angry; it’s polarizing, and it’s just not from God, ”he said.

Pope Francis has received at least two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine and in September he said he found opposition to the shots “a little strange”.

All American adults could be eligible for booster injections as early as this weekend, and children became eligible for Covid-19 vaccinations earlier this month. Children are also eligible for the shots—more than two million received their first injections– and to be fully vaccinated for Christmas, individuals would need their first vaccines before November 19.

According to the Iowa Catholic Conference, Iowa ranks 25th nationally in terms of vaccination rates, and people in rural Iowa still seem hesitant.

“In communion with Pope Francis, we remind the faithful that the common good of public health must take precedence over any moral reserve regarding vaccination; they won’t be effective if people don’t use them, ”the bishops said in their statement.

Part of the campaign includes video testimonials from Iowa residents explaining why they chose to be vaccinated.

Kent Ferris, the director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Davenport, said in a statement the church seeks to connect people who are hesitant about Covid-19 vaccines with others who have chosen to be vaccinated .

“For those still wondering whether the vaccine will make a difference or not, we want people to know that their friends and neighbors in Iowa believe in the vaccine,” Mr. Ferris said. “There are a lot of people ready and willing to talk with those who are having a hard time making a decision about whether to get the vaccine. It is worth our efforts to join the conversation across our state. “