Elder Ethan Bird wheels his luggage the airport as hundreds of missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints return from the Philippines to Salt Lake City International Airport on Sunday, March 22, 2020. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is encouraging all missionaries and prospective missionaries to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
The church sent a letter to its local leaders Friday, April 23, stating that missionaries can safeguard themselves and others by becoming vaccinated.
It’s another message of encouragement from church headquarters in regard to vaccination.
The First Presidency and senior leaders shared when they received their first doses in January. In April, they updated the church handbook to re-emphasize support for immunization.
The church says the vaccine is becoming available in many places around the world, so mission leaders and mission medical coordinators will let their missionaries know when they may receive it.
Those heading to a mission in a different country will need to be vaccinated by Aug. 1. Senior missionaries may travel after receiving their vaccinations and visas.
The letter also said individuals are responsible to make their own decisions about vaccinations.
Prospective missionaries who choose not to receive required immunizations will be reassigned to a mission in their home country.