How should a Christian view vaccinations/vaccines?
Source: Got Questions Ministries
As born again believers we are to be faithful stewards of all we receive (1 Corinthians 4:2) and by implication, that includes our bodies. Therefore as stewards of God's provision of physical bodies, we are responsible for what we put into them, how we care for them and how we use them. Scripture says nothing about vaccinations since these were not available when the Bible was written. As to how they produce vaccines and their possible side effects, that information is readily available and anyone who is concerned about that issue should investigate. In fact, part of our stewardship is to investigate, make informed choices, and not take things for granted. With knowledge comes responsibility. Are vaccines totally without risk? No. Have vaccines been beneficial to the world? Yes, so there is definitely a case to be made for preventative medicine. The Apostle Paul tells Timothy to "use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses" (1 Timothy 5:23), which is clearly a case of preventive medication.To vaccinate or not to vaccinate should be an informed choice and not one made out of fear. In some places, children are not allowed into schools without what is considered proper vaccinations. Furthermore, it has been proven that diseases once thought to be eradicated in America are on the rise due to the influx of unvaccinated people from second and third world countries. So there is a distinct and proven benefit to vaccinations. Parents have to consider the consequences of their child someday getting one of the diseases they were not immunized against. Rarely do children react with more than a mild fever and a sore leg or arm for a day or two, but severe reactions can and do occur. There has also been a question about the link between vaccines and the presence of autism in children. Whether or not that will be proven is unknown, but the fact that the issue is shining light on vaccines is a good thing, and it will result in parents being more proactive in their choices regarding their children's health issues.
VaccinePlace.com is a web site that tells about the preventable diseases and long-term complications that can result from them. As in all things, prayer for wisdom is needed. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5; Proverbs 3:4-5). We are free to make any choice, but we are not free to exempt ourselves from the consequences of those choices. The Apostle Paul stresses this in 1 Corinthians 6:11-12 and 10:23, where he tells us that all things are "lawful" for us but that not all things edify or build us up and not all things are expedient or profitable, and we should not be under the power of anything outside of the Spirit of the Lord. Therefore, it behooves us to make informed, prayerful choices and to make them without fear but with faith in the Lord.