Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine rekindles religious dilemma over morality of using fetal tissue Johnson & Johnson stresses that no fetal tissue is used in the vaccine. AP Share: NEW ORLEANS -- Roman Catholic leaders in St. Louis and New Orleans are advising Catholics that the COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, newly approved for use in the U.S., is "morally compromised" because it is produced using a cell line derived from an aborted fetus. The New Orleans archdiocese says the decision to receive a vaccine is one of individual conscience. In its statement late last week, it stopped short of advising Catholics not to take the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but adds that Catholics should choose coronavirus vaccines made by Moderna or Pfizer - if they are available.