There is confusion among Islamic religious leaders around the world as to whether the Kovid-19 vaccine made using pork is justified under Islamic law. On the one hand, many companies are busy preparing the Kovid-19 vaccine and many countries are preparing to receive vaccine supplements. On the other hand, some religious groups have raised questions about the products made from banned pork, for fear that the vaccination campaign will be hindered.

Pork-made gelatin (pork) is widely used to maintain their safety and effectiveness during the collection and transport of vaccines. Some companies have worked for years in developing vaccines without swine. The Swiss cecal company ‘Novartis’ manufactures the meningitis vaccine without using pork, while Saudi and Malaysia-based AJ Pharma is also trying to produce a similar vaccine.

A spokesman for Pfizer, Modern and AstraZeneca said their Kovid-19 vaccine does not use pork products, although several companies have not made it clear that their vaccines contain pork products, whether or not meat products are used. In such a situation, there is anxiety in countries with large Muslim populations, such as Indonesia.

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Salman Walker, general secretary of the British Islamic Medical Association, said: ‘The Orthodox is in a critical position regarding the use of vaccines in various religious communities, including Jews and Muslims, who regard the use of pork products as religiously profane. Dr Hornur Rasheed, an associate professor at the University of Sydney, said that the consensus so far in various discussions on the use of pork gelatin in vaccines is acceptable under Islamic law, because if vaccines are not used, ‘great harm’ will occur.

Rabbi David Stave, president of Israel’s Rabbani Organization, Zohar, said, “According to Jewish laws, eating or using pork is only valid if it does not work.” If not eaten, it is justified and there is no harm in it. Its use is especially legitimate in the case of disease.