That line of human cells is HEK-293, a kidney cell line widely used in research and industry that comes from a fetus aborted in about 1972 (49 years ago); and PER.C6, a proprietary cell line owned by Janssen, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, developed from retinal cells from an 18-week-old fetus aborted in 1985 (36 years ago). Those cells are not always used in the vaccine. They are also used to test vaccines. Such cells are used for rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis A, and shingles. They have also been used to make approved drugs against diseases including hemophilia, rheumatoid arthritis, and cystic fibrosis. So, if your are planning to get your shingles vaccination, you will have to consider time in the confessional explaining your “mortal sin” to a confused priest.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh used HEK-293 cells to manufacture the coronavirus’ spike protein—a vital part of its structure—which is used to trigger an immune response.