Are measles vaccines halal? Indonesians weigh religious concerns against children’s health
Despite special dispensation by religious leaders, some parents are hesitant to use the vaccines as they contain pork gelatin
But efforts to stop the outbreak from spreading through the predominantly Muslim population are being hindered in part by concerns that some measles vaccines may not meet Islam’s halal standards because they use a stabiliser that is derived from pigs.
Pork-derived gelatin is widely used as a stabiliser to ensure vaccines remain safe and effective during storage and transport, presenting a dilemma to religious communities that view pigs as ritually unclean.
Many Islamic scholars say that vaccines with gelatin stabilisers can be used under religious law, as can other medical products with pig-derived ingredients, under certain conditions.