Pastor Nathan Seden made the choice to get the COVID-19 jab to protect himself and his family. 

As a clergyman on Thursday Island and a high school support worker, Nathan is very conscious of his obligation to protect the community. Especially those at higher risk of COVID complications. 

“Our community is high at risk for contracting COVID but it’s for many other health reasons too,” Pastor Nathan said. 

After some initial reluctance, Nathan and his wife decided to get the jab together with their eldest son. 

With a school scholarship on the cards, the couple wanted to get the jab on their own terms in a comfortable place.  

“And so, we wanted to get the vaccine together rather than him being forced to get the vaccine away from us,” Pastor Nathan said.  

“And the hype around the symptoms and stuff like that we felt at peace that it would be better for him to get it with us here.  

“And so, that’s what we did. We all lined up together.” 

Nathan describes his path to accepting the jab as similar to the preparation for a boat trip. 

“I always put it this way: we in the Torres Strait are seafaring people.  

“We plan to go on a fishing trip, we like to know that all the ducks are in line before we actually set off on the trip to have peace of mind.  

“And for a while, I didn’t have peace of mind. Things didn’t add up to me.  

“But it came to that point where I felt at peace doing it. It seemed like the right thing to do.” 

He likens it to 1 Corinthians 10:23 ‘Everything is permissible,’ but not everything is beneficial. Before taking an action, we must decide if it is for the good or not. 

“So we’re permitted to do a whole lot of things but we’ve got to think about the benefits.  

“And I think that’s probably an encouragement for me is that there are, like I said, a lot more benefits to getting the jab rather than no benefits at all. 

“I think there are more positives than negatives that can be achieved out of this on a bigger scale rather than just for me. 

“Like things like our economy and you know normal life and normality in our community.” 

If you would like more information, or to book an appointment, contact Torres Health.