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Vaccines are essential weapons of medicine to promote and maintain public health and they have been pivotal in the prevention, and in some cases near-eradication, of some very nasty diseases.<\/p>\nVaccines are essential weapons of medicine to promote and maintain public health and they have been pivotal in the prevention, and in some cases near-eradication, of some very nasty diseases.<\/p>\n
There is no doubt that the world is a better place for humans without smallpox, the global eradication of which was officially confirmed by the World Health Organisation on the 8th May, 1980.<\/p>\n
There are also diseases that are either eliminated or almost eliminated in many regions of the world (such as rubella and measles) or for which global eradiation is underway (polio). As such, there is little doubt that public investment in vaccines is both sensible and necessary. But given that some vaccines contain ingredients derived from animals, does this mean vegans should refrain from taking them? In a word: NO.<\/p>\n
As we will explain in more detail in this article, when sections of the population choose not to have their children vaccinated they are, in our opinion, being misguided, and really ought to consider their actions with care. The rise of anti-vaccine movements that, as we shall show, are based on spurious pseudo-science and myths, have led to outbreaks of measles<\/a> in the richest country on the planet after vaccination rates fell from 91.4% to 76.5% between 2004-05 and 2017-18.<\/p>\n It is highly irresponsible for a parent to deny their children the vaccines that have been proven to prevent diseases that would certainly cause them to suffer. Not to mention increasing the likelihood that other children who have not yet been vaccinated will contract such diseases.<\/p>\n While many of these \u201canti-vaxxers\u201d base their decisions on conspiracy theories or discredited research, there have also been reports over the years of vegans refusing to be vaccinated or have their children take these potentially life-saving injections.<\/p>\n Let us be clear: Vegans should NOT stop their children getting vaccinated<\/span>, in our view. Indeed, they shouldn\u2019t refuse any other medication or treatments that are recommended by medical professionals even if they have been tested on animals or contain animal products or those derived from animals. We go into more detail about specifics in our vegan medicines<\/a> article.<\/p>\n Clearly, for many, this seems like a position that contradicts the very ethos of a vegan lifestyle. But, there is little point having an ethical stance based on minimising the suffering of animals whose implications promote the suffering of humans. Not allowing your child to have a vaccine that has a small amount of milk-derived lactose might keep the vegan credentials intact, but if your child then goes on to contract measles, which then spreads to other children who have not yet been vaccinated and an outbreak occurs during which many children become very ill\u2026 clearly, that would not be a trade-off most right-minded people would think is justifiable.<\/p>\n The decision to be a vegan and the effort to maintain a vegan lifestyle can be significant. But however committed to veganism a person is, there comes a point when hard choices have to be made. The generally accepted definition of veganism states that veganism is:<\/p>\n A philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude\u2014as far as is possible and practicable\u2014all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The key words here in terms of decisions relating to vaccinations are, \u201cas far as is possible and practicable\u201d. However strongly a philosophy is held, it is rarely worth getting seriously ill (or dying) for. As such, vegans should consider vaccinations \u2013 and medications in general \u2013 that contain animal products as falling under the umbrella of items which are not practicable to avoid.<\/p>\n Moreover, it is worth noting that the definition above includes the following sentence: \u201cIn dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals\u201d. Vaccinations, medicine and other products essential to life are clearly being separated from the diet, as using these is not, realistically, a lifestyle choice.<\/p>\n Irrespective of whether animal products are contained within a given medication, it has almost certainly been tested on animals at some point during its development, but what\u2019s a vegan to do? The consequences of avoiding all vaccines and medications could be dire for the vegan in question (and their children); also, as veganism grows in popularity, the implications of all vegans refusing to get their children vaccinated could be catastrophic on a global level.<\/p>\n Generally, this \u201cbiological preparation\u201d contains an agent or active ingredient that is created from a weakened or dead form of a given microbe or its toxins or proteins. This is introduced into the body \u2013 usually orally, through a nasal spray or intravenously \u2013 and it stimulates the immune system to not only destroy the foreign agent, but also to remember it and destroy any such microorganisms in the future.<\/p>\n Health professionals and the medical sector are very open about what goes into vaccines, and medicines in general. The general public is able to look up exactly what\u2019s in any medication in the UK on the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC)<\/a> database. You can search for medicines (by brand or scientific name) or by active ingredient.<\/p>\n The only problem is that there are many ingredients that will be unfamiliar to many and it can take some time trying to assess whether or not it has been derived from animal products. It would be handy if there was a \u201cvegan-friendly medicines\u201d search on the site, but at the time of writing, this does not exist. Hopefully, as veganism continues its rise to world domination (!) this is a feature that will be added.\u00a0There are various types of ingredients and processes utilised in the production of vaccines that might have made use of animal products.<\/p>\nIrresponsible “Anti-Vaxxers”<\/h3>\n
Should Vegans Refuse Vaccines?<\/h2>\n
![\"Vaccinations\"](\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/vaccinations.jpg\")
What Are Vaccines?<\/h2>\n
![\"Vaccine](\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/vaccine-syringes-vials.jpg\")
Let us take a step back and explain the basics of what vaccines are and how they work. According to the World Health Organisation<\/a>, \u201cA vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease\u201d.<\/p>\nWhat Stops Vaccines Being Vegan?<\/h3>\n
Ingredients & Processes in the Production of Vaccines<\/h4>\n
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