Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin says Catholics should, if possible, avoid the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, which was made with abortion-derived cells, but they won t incur moral fault if they get the shot. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has pointed to serious moral questions related to the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, Tobin said in a statement emailed to The Journal. These concerns arise because the vaccine was developed and produced using abortion-derived cells. Accordingly, the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should be avoided if at all possible. However, although it is not an ideal situation, if the other vaccines currently being used are not readily available, or if an individual cannot choose which vaccine to receive, individuals may receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine with a clear conscience and without incurring moral fault, Tobin said.