Islam, Vaccines and Health | http://www.vaccinationcouncil.org/2011/01/20/islam-vaccines-and-health-2/?pf
February 06, 2011 A. Majid Katme, MBBCh, DPM (medical doctor)
Spokesman, Islamic Medical Association (UK)
January 21, 2011
A. Majid Katme, MBBCh,DPM
We are giving our innocent children haraam (forbidden) substances and harmful chemicals that destroy their natural immune systems, causing disease, suffering and death. All Muslim doctors and parents should be aware of vaccine ingredients, and of the failed efficacy of vaccines. The harm is clearly greater than the benefit. The time has come to take a stand for truth.
Vaccine Ingredients Vaccine ingredients include heavy metals, pus from sores of diseased animals, horse serum, calf serum, faecal matter, foetal cells, urine, macerated cancer cells, sweepings from diseased children, formaldehyde (a carcinogen used in embalming fluid), phenol (a carcinogen capable of causing paralysis, convulsions, coma, necrosis and gangrene), lactalbumin hydrolysate (an emulsifier), aluminium phosphate (an aluminium salt that is corrosive to tissues), retro-virus SV-40 (a contaminant virus in some polio vaccines), antibiotics (e.g., neomycin tm) that lead to antibiotic resistance, chick embryo (as a growth medium for the virus), sodium phosphate (a buffering salt), and foreign animal tissues containing genetic material (DNA/RNA) from the growth medium. Vaccines are also contaminated with mycoplasma, bacteria, monkey viruses and various adjuvants. Heavy metals include thiomersal (mercury) as a preservative and aluminium as an adjuvant. Mercury and aluminium have each been proved to damage the brain and nervous system. In some cases, thiomersal has been replaced by another neurotoxin known as 2PE. Vaccines also contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), sorbitol, and gelatine. Many of these ingredients are not allowed for Muslims, Jews, Hindus or vegetarians.
A Fatally-flawed System of Intervention Vaccination is based on the long-discredited theory that stimulation of antibodies in the human body equals protection from disease. This theory has not only failed to be proved, but has been repeatedly disproved. Stimulation of antibodies does not equal immunity and certainly does not equal permanent immunity. The presence of antibodies is merely a sign of exposure to a disease, which is just one small aspect of what makes up the immune system. Children, with underdeveloped and immature immune systems, receive today about 25 separate vaccines by the age of 13 months. There is no doubt this irresponsible system disrupts and can even destroy the development of their immune systems forever.
Vaccines commonly given to children in the United Kingdom today include – TWO MONTHS: diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, HIB meningitis and polio + pneumococcal (six components, two needles); THREE MONTHS: diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, HIB meningitis and polio + meningitis C (six components, two needles); FOUR MONTHS: diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, HIB meningitis and polio + pneumococcal + meningitis C (seven components, three needles); 12 MONTHS: HIB meningitis and meningitis C (two components, two needles); 13 MONTHS: measles, mumps, rubella + pneumococcal vaccine (four components, two needles). This reflects a grave medical assault inflicted on the small, weak, defenceless bodies of our innocent children.
Just a Few of the Monstrous Problems Unthinkably, vaccine studies do not include placebo groups. Instead, they use other vaccines in “control” groups, making it impossible to properly note actual rates of adverse events between a test group and real control group. No research has been done on the long-term effects of vaccines. Post-marketing data of reactions, injury and death go ignored. Moreover, the system lacks individualization. Apparently, one size fits all. There is no pre-screening for immune problems and allergies. Overloading the human body with infections and sub-infections will irreparably disrupt and destroy the immune system. Chemicals in vaccines induce allergies, asthma, and autoimmune disease, including autism. By the way, don’t let any indoctrinated doctor tell you vaccines do not cause autism. Do your own research. Sexual immorality and adultery are stirred by offering our daughters HPV vaccination against cervical cancer. Notably and incredibly, the HPV vaccine is shown to make some recipients even more susceptible to cervical cancer. According to many scientific reports, there is additional concern that some vaccines cause infertility and are used for clandestine population control. The proper role of medicine is to work to find and prevent the root cause of disease, not treat symptoms or fill the body with chemicals and vaccines.
Islam and Medical Science Must Oppose Vaccination The case against vaccination is first an Islamic one, based on Islamic ethos regarding the perfection of the natural human body’s immune defence system, empowered by great and prophetic guidance to avoid most infections. The case against vaccination is also a medical and health-related one. Incredible evidence, unbeknownst to most, has emerged in the West regarding the many serious health hazards that affect those who have been vaccinated.
Islam and the Immune System Colostrum in breast milk, a rich source of myriad antibodies, is extraordinarily important in conveying immunity to the child during the first few days after birth. Breastfeeding up to two years gives incredible immunity into the future. Medical studies evidence the amazing protection of breastfeeding against infections, even including poliomyelitis. The first two years of life are a crucial time during which the child’s body will develop a natural and mature immune system. Vaccination disrupts and damages the natural process of human development. God (Allah), the Creator, the Designer, has organised for the destruction of most germs and viruses through the natural process of entry-and-defence via skin, mucous, and the stomach. This process is very different from injection of a vaccine directly into the body without crossing natural defence barriers. Twenty-five weakened diseases are destructively pushed by needlepoint into the bodies of our fragile children at a stage when they are developing their own natural defence systems.Infection and disease are medically proven to regularly succumb to spontaneous, self-remitting recovery. Childhood bouts with infectious disease help build the immune system against future attacks. As our beloved physician and prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, has told us, for every disease there is a cure. The final holy book, Al Qur’an, is an awesome medical source for both prevention and cure of disease. To best prepare the body, the Muslim should use natural and permissible nutrition from Yayyib (natural) food and drink. Of further importance, we need to address the root causes of morbidity and mortality: poverty, malnutrition, lack of clean drinking water, lack of a healthy and natural foods, lack of proper sewage, and toxins in the environment and body.The Islamic behaviour of seeking halal (lawful) and avoiding harram has been linked to health throughout time by many Muslim doctors and scientists, especially in the field of preventative medicine. Great care should be given to personal hygiene, including hand washing at about 25 times per day (15 times before the five daily prayers during wudu [absolution]). Properly practising daily personal hygiene will avoid many infections. Many fruits and other healthy foods prescribed in Islam have been found to prevent disease and strengthen the immune system, including olive and olive oil, ginger, grapes, pomegranate, vinegar, rosemary and figs. Islamic-prescribed complementary medicine protects us from disease and strengthens our natural immune system, including honey, fasting, prayer (meditation), Du’A (special prayer) for the sick, black seed, Hijama (blood cupping), holy fruits and foods, breastfeeding, aromatherapy, Zam Zam (drinking holy water at Makkah, Saudi Arabia at the time of pilgrimage), and laying on of hands with a special prayer. Frequent exposure to the sun for vitamin D and a diet rich in vitamin D prevents many diseases. Islam prohibits Muslims from taking any harmful medicine or substance. Even where there is doubt or controversy, Islam orders us to leave it completely. This applies to vaccines.
The Truth Be Told Harram in many vaccines include human foetuses, gelatine from pork, alcohol, and human and animal parts. These najis (unclean), haraam ingredients are not given in a state of emergency to save life at present. It is ridiculous to introduce myriad infective agents into millions of people as a “just in case” prevention of future infection. It is very wrong that Muslim doctors have adopted a medical intervention that contains so many haraams and harmful chemicals.
In Islam, the human body is holy. We should protect and keep it natural, pure, healthy and safe. As vaccines are neither pure nor natural, it is no wonder that science and medicine have found them to be so incredibly dangerous. A well-orchestrated pharmaceutical industry plan of scaremongering exists to create fear in parents who do not vaccinate their children. Doctors and governments have been indoctrinated and corrupted by a gigantic and incredibly powerful industry into advocating obligatory vaccination, contrary to health and human and religious rights. This has happened not to advance health, but for profit. Vaccines should not be pushed or forced on anyone.
The Case for Opposing Vaccination It disrupts and destroys the natural immune systems of our innocent children It produces many physical and medical problems It increases antibiotic resistance among many patients It can make many people sterile or infertile It contains many harmful chemicals like mercury and aluminium It lacks scientific, independent evidence of efficacy and safety It contains many haraam substances for the 1600 million Muslims in the world (the latest of which is the vaccine for Meningitis for the Muslim Pilgrims who are going to Hajj was found to contain pork, which is harram.) It also contains substances which are prohibited for Jews, Hindus and vegetariansIt is unhygienic and full of filth It wastes trillions of dollars and is making the people and governments in poor third world countries poorer and more in debt, and the drug companies filthy rich It is medically unethical, as it took us away from dealing with the causes of the diseases and work on prevention. It is a very wrong medical practice to use a vaccine against every ill It lacks transparency and informed consent. Most parents, the public, and even doctors are not aware of its harms, ingredients and cost A rising number of doctors, health professionals and parents are joining the campaign against vaccination (websites below) We have many natural ways to build a natural strong immune system to fight most infections We have many natural, safe alternatives Incredibly, the Big Pharma producers of vaccines are exempt from any liability or prosecution, regardless of the number of people who die or are injured Our innocent children are suffering and they gave no consent at all for the vaccines forced on them. This constitutes a medical assault Web Resources Additional Web Resources: ________________
Dr. A. Majid Katme challenges the use of vaccination both within the religion of Islam and within medicine. Dr. Katme was born in Lebanon and resides in the United Kingdom, where is spokesman for the Islamic Medical Association UK. A campaigner for natural and Islamic medicine, Dr. Katme presents each week on a weekly health show on IQRA (Sky 826) in the United Kingdom, and is additionally a radio broadcaster on three Muslim radio programs each week.
International Medical Council on Vaccination │ www.vaccinationcouncil.org
ShareThis
Related posts:
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/archive/26-6-19103-0-8-13.html
Muslim babies’ MMR jabs have traces of pork
Injections illegal under Islamic law, says Imam VICKY COLLINS THOUSANDS of Muslim babies in Scotland have been injected with a derivative of pork contained in a major child vaccine, The Herald can reveal. One of the two triple measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines used by GPs in Britain are made using porcine gelatin, which is forbidden in Islam. Public health officials in Glasgow admitted that they had only begun informing parents in the last week. Strict Muslims can only use medicines containing derivatives of pork in a medical emergency when there is no other option. Muslim leaders across Scotland reacted angrily to the revelation and are demanding that Muslim parents must be warned about any medication that may contain pork derivatives to allow them to make an informed choice. Habib Rauf, imam at the Glasgow Central Mosque, said: "I did not know it contained porcine gelatin. I have a three-year-old child who was recently given the MMR vaccine and if I had known about this I would not have let my child have the vaccination." Generally, patients never see the full ingredients list for vaccines, although doctors will check if there are any medical conditions that lead to side- effects. The vaccine with gelatin which is used widely in Britain is made by Aventis Pasteur, while Merck makes another vaccine containing porcine gelatin which is used widely across the world, but not in the UK. Another vaccine used in the UK is made by Priorix and is free of the material. However, usage of either one depends on availability. Between them, Aventis Pasteur and Merck have offices in 41 countries across the world, including Arab nations such as Egypt, the Gulf and Saudi Arabia, as well as Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation. A spokesman for Aventis Pasteur admitted the company was aware of the possible implications of using such ingredients for religious groups. He claimed it was "not a problem" because the gelatin was broken down into peptides, and was therefore refined and not pure gelatin. He confirmed there was no vegetarian option. He declined to comment on when the company first began using porcine gelatin in MMR. Merck was unavailable for comment. However, Muslims said the ingredient still would be a concern because it was sourced from pig, and said an alternative to porcine gelatin, such as agar, should be used, or a warning given to all parents who were considering the jab for their child. Mohammad Faroghul Quadri, imam at the Khazra Mosque, Glasgow, said: "The gelatin may be broken down, but those ingredients still come from pork originally. This gelatin from pork is totally illegal under Islamic law." Mohammed Sarwar, Labour MP for Glasgow Govan, said: "I am sure if it is the case that MMR contains pork gelatin then that would be a concern for the Muslim community." Unlike Muslims, Jews are only forbidden to eat pork, and have no concerns about its use in medicines, according to Judith Tankel, who sits on the committee of the Glasgow Council of Christians and Jews.She said: "There is no problem with us wearing shoes or clothes made using pigs and certainly injections or medicine containing derivatives of pig are no problem."Dr Syed Ahmed, immunisation co-ordinator for Greater Glasgow NHS, said he had been alerted to the problem by a Muslim GP and had contacted all GPs in Glasgow asking them to warn Muslim parents and offer the option of using the alternative MMR vaccine made by Priorix.
Forbidden food
Strict Muslims are only allowed to eat foods not expressly forbidden in the Koran and animals slaughtered "in the name of Allah" are considered halal, or lawful, to eat. The Koran says only animals which chew the cud and have cloven hooves can be eaten, and as pigs do not chew the cud they are considered haram, or forbidden. Although Jews also consider pork to be unclean, kosher law only covers animal products which are eaten.-June 26th
February 06, 2011 A. Majid Katme, MBBCh, DPM (medical doctor)
Spokesman, Islamic Medical Association (UK)
January 21, 2011
A. Majid Katme, MBBCh,DPM
We are giving our innocent children haraam (forbidden) substances and harmful chemicals that destroy their natural immune systems, causing disease, suffering and death. All Muslim doctors and parents should be aware of vaccine ingredients, and of the failed efficacy of vaccines. The harm is clearly greater than the benefit. The time has come to take a stand for truth.
Vaccine Ingredients Vaccine ingredients include heavy metals, pus from sores of diseased animals, horse serum, calf serum, faecal matter, foetal cells, urine, macerated cancer cells, sweepings from diseased children, formaldehyde (a carcinogen used in embalming fluid), phenol (a carcinogen capable of causing paralysis, convulsions, coma, necrosis and gangrene), lactalbumin hydrolysate (an emulsifier), aluminium phosphate (an aluminium salt that is corrosive to tissues), retro-virus SV-40 (a contaminant virus in some polio vaccines), antibiotics (e.g., neomycin tm) that lead to antibiotic resistance, chick embryo (as a growth medium for the virus), sodium phosphate (a buffering salt), and foreign animal tissues containing genetic material (DNA/RNA) from the growth medium. Vaccines are also contaminated with mycoplasma, bacteria, monkey viruses and various adjuvants. Heavy metals include thiomersal (mercury) as a preservative and aluminium as an adjuvant. Mercury and aluminium have each been proved to damage the brain and nervous system. In some cases, thiomersal has been replaced by another neurotoxin known as 2PE. Vaccines also contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), sorbitol, and gelatine. Many of these ingredients are not allowed for Muslims, Jews, Hindus or vegetarians.
A Fatally-flawed System of Intervention Vaccination is based on the long-discredited theory that stimulation of antibodies in the human body equals protection from disease. This theory has not only failed to be proved, but has been repeatedly disproved. Stimulation of antibodies does not equal immunity and certainly does not equal permanent immunity. The presence of antibodies is merely a sign of exposure to a disease, which is just one small aspect of what makes up the immune system. Children, with underdeveloped and immature immune systems, receive today about 25 separate vaccines by the age of 13 months. There is no doubt this irresponsible system disrupts and can even destroy the development of their immune systems forever.
Vaccines commonly given to children in the United Kingdom today include – TWO MONTHS: diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, HIB meningitis and polio + pneumococcal (six components, two needles); THREE MONTHS: diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, HIB meningitis and polio + meningitis C (six components, two needles); FOUR MONTHS: diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, HIB meningitis and polio + pneumococcal + meningitis C (seven components, three needles); 12 MONTHS: HIB meningitis and meningitis C (two components, two needles); 13 MONTHS: measles, mumps, rubella + pneumococcal vaccine (four components, two needles). This reflects a grave medical assault inflicted on the small, weak, defenceless bodies of our innocent children.
Just a Few of the Monstrous Problems Unthinkably, vaccine studies do not include placebo groups. Instead, they use other vaccines in “control” groups, making it impossible to properly note actual rates of adverse events between a test group and real control group. No research has been done on the long-term effects of vaccines. Post-marketing data of reactions, injury and death go ignored. Moreover, the system lacks individualization. Apparently, one size fits all. There is no pre-screening for immune problems and allergies. Overloading the human body with infections and sub-infections will irreparably disrupt and destroy the immune system. Chemicals in vaccines induce allergies, asthma, and autoimmune disease, including autism. By the way, don’t let any indoctrinated doctor tell you vaccines do not cause autism. Do your own research. Sexual immorality and adultery are stirred by offering our daughters HPV vaccination against cervical cancer. Notably and incredibly, the HPV vaccine is shown to make some recipients even more susceptible to cervical cancer. According to many scientific reports, there is additional concern that some vaccines cause infertility and are used for clandestine population control. The proper role of medicine is to work to find and prevent the root cause of disease, not treat symptoms or fill the body with chemicals and vaccines.
Islam and Medical Science Must Oppose Vaccination The case against vaccination is first an Islamic one, based on Islamic ethos regarding the perfection of the natural human body’s immune defence system, empowered by great and prophetic guidance to avoid most infections. The case against vaccination is also a medical and health-related one. Incredible evidence, unbeknownst to most, has emerged in the West regarding the many serious health hazards that affect those who have been vaccinated.
Islam and the Immune System Colostrum in breast milk, a rich source of myriad antibodies, is extraordinarily important in conveying immunity to the child during the first few days after birth. Breastfeeding up to two years gives incredible immunity into the future. Medical studies evidence the amazing protection of breastfeeding against infections, even including poliomyelitis. The first two years of life are a crucial time during which the child’s body will develop a natural and mature immune system. Vaccination disrupts and damages the natural process of human development. God (Allah), the Creator, the Designer, has organised for the destruction of most germs and viruses through the natural process of entry-and-defence via skin, mucous, and the stomach. This process is very different from injection of a vaccine directly into the body without crossing natural defence barriers. Twenty-five weakened diseases are destructively pushed by needlepoint into the bodies of our fragile children at a stage when they are developing their own natural defence systems.Infection and disease are medically proven to regularly succumb to spontaneous, self-remitting recovery. Childhood bouts with infectious disease help build the immune system against future attacks. As our beloved physician and prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, has told us, for every disease there is a cure. The final holy book, Al Qur’an, is an awesome medical source for both prevention and cure of disease. To best prepare the body, the Muslim should use natural and permissible nutrition from Yayyib (natural) food and drink. Of further importance, we need to address the root causes of morbidity and mortality: poverty, malnutrition, lack of clean drinking water, lack of a healthy and natural foods, lack of proper sewage, and toxins in the environment and body.The Islamic behaviour of seeking halal (lawful) and avoiding harram has been linked to health throughout time by many Muslim doctors and scientists, especially in the field of preventative medicine. Great care should be given to personal hygiene, including hand washing at about 25 times per day (15 times before the five daily prayers during wudu [absolution]). Properly practising daily personal hygiene will avoid many infections. Many fruits and other healthy foods prescribed in Islam have been found to prevent disease and strengthen the immune system, including olive and olive oil, ginger, grapes, pomegranate, vinegar, rosemary and figs. Islamic-prescribed complementary medicine protects us from disease and strengthens our natural immune system, including honey, fasting, prayer (meditation), Du’A (special prayer) for the sick, black seed, Hijama (blood cupping), holy fruits and foods, breastfeeding, aromatherapy, Zam Zam (drinking holy water at Makkah, Saudi Arabia at the time of pilgrimage), and laying on of hands with a special prayer. Frequent exposure to the sun for vitamin D and a diet rich in vitamin D prevents many diseases. Islam prohibits Muslims from taking any harmful medicine or substance. Even where there is doubt or controversy, Islam orders us to leave it completely. This applies to vaccines.
The Truth Be Told Harram in many vaccines include human foetuses, gelatine from pork, alcohol, and human and animal parts. These najis (unclean), haraam ingredients are not given in a state of emergency to save life at present. It is ridiculous to introduce myriad infective agents into millions of people as a “just in case” prevention of future infection. It is very wrong that Muslim doctors have adopted a medical intervention that contains so many haraams and harmful chemicals.
In Islam, the human body is holy. We should protect and keep it natural, pure, healthy and safe. As vaccines are neither pure nor natural, it is no wonder that science and medicine have found them to be so incredibly dangerous. A well-orchestrated pharmaceutical industry plan of scaremongering exists to create fear in parents who do not vaccinate their children. Doctors and governments have been indoctrinated and corrupted by a gigantic and incredibly powerful industry into advocating obligatory vaccination, contrary to health and human and religious rights. This has happened not to advance health, but for profit. Vaccines should not be pushed or forced on anyone.
The Case for Opposing Vaccination It disrupts and destroys the natural immune systems of our innocent children It produces many physical and medical problems It increases antibiotic resistance among many patients It can make many people sterile or infertile It contains many harmful chemicals like mercury and aluminium It lacks scientific, independent evidence of efficacy and safety It contains many haraam substances for the 1600 million Muslims in the world (the latest of which is the vaccine for Meningitis for the Muslim Pilgrims who are going to Hajj was found to contain pork, which is harram.) It also contains substances which are prohibited for Jews, Hindus and vegetariansIt is unhygienic and full of filth It wastes trillions of dollars and is making the people and governments in poor third world countries poorer and more in debt, and the drug companies filthy rich It is medically unethical, as it took us away from dealing with the causes of the diseases and work on prevention. It is a very wrong medical practice to use a vaccine against every ill It lacks transparency and informed consent. Most parents, the public, and even doctors are not aware of its harms, ingredients and cost A rising number of doctors, health professionals and parents are joining the campaign against vaccination (websites below) We have many natural ways to build a natural strong immune system to fight most infections We have many natural, safe alternatives Incredibly, the Big Pharma producers of vaccines are exempt from any liability or prosecution, regardless of the number of people who die or are injured Our innocent children are suffering and they gave no consent at all for the vaccines forced on them. This constitutes a medical assault Web Resources Additional Web Resources: ________________
Dr. A. Majid Katme challenges the use of vaccination both within the religion of Islam and within medicine. Dr. Katme was born in Lebanon and resides in the United Kingdom, where is spokesman for the Islamic Medical Association UK. A campaigner for natural and Islamic medicine, Dr. Katme presents each week on a weekly health show on IQRA (Sky 826) in the United Kingdom, and is additionally a radio broadcaster on three Muslim radio programs each week.
International Medical Council on Vaccination │ www.vaccinationcouncil.org
ShareThis
Related posts:
- A Heretic’s View of Influenza’s Role in Health & Disease
- Vaccine Madness: Private Profits from Health Hysteria
- Vaccines, Health and Medicine
- Islam, Vaccines and Health
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/archive/26-6-19103-0-8-13.html
Muslim babies’ MMR jabs have traces of pork
Injections illegal under Islamic law, says Imam VICKY COLLINS THOUSANDS of Muslim babies in Scotland have been injected with a derivative of pork contained in a major child vaccine, The Herald can reveal. One of the two triple measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines used by GPs in Britain are made using porcine gelatin, which is forbidden in Islam. Public health officials in Glasgow admitted that they had only begun informing parents in the last week. Strict Muslims can only use medicines containing derivatives of pork in a medical emergency when there is no other option. Muslim leaders across Scotland reacted angrily to the revelation and are demanding that Muslim parents must be warned about any medication that may contain pork derivatives to allow them to make an informed choice. Habib Rauf, imam at the Glasgow Central Mosque, said: "I did not know it contained porcine gelatin. I have a three-year-old child who was recently given the MMR vaccine and if I had known about this I would not have let my child have the vaccination." Generally, patients never see the full ingredients list for vaccines, although doctors will check if there are any medical conditions that lead to side- effects. The vaccine with gelatin which is used widely in Britain is made by Aventis Pasteur, while Merck makes another vaccine containing porcine gelatin which is used widely across the world, but not in the UK. Another vaccine used in the UK is made by Priorix and is free of the material. However, usage of either one depends on availability. Between them, Aventis Pasteur and Merck have offices in 41 countries across the world, including Arab nations such as Egypt, the Gulf and Saudi Arabia, as well as Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation. A spokesman for Aventis Pasteur admitted the company was aware of the possible implications of using such ingredients for religious groups. He claimed it was "not a problem" because the gelatin was broken down into peptides, and was therefore refined and not pure gelatin. He confirmed there was no vegetarian option. He declined to comment on when the company first began using porcine gelatin in MMR. Merck was unavailable for comment. However, Muslims said the ingredient still would be a concern because it was sourced from pig, and said an alternative to porcine gelatin, such as agar, should be used, or a warning given to all parents who were considering the jab for their child. Mohammad Faroghul Quadri, imam at the Khazra Mosque, Glasgow, said: "The gelatin may be broken down, but those ingredients still come from pork originally. This gelatin from pork is totally illegal under Islamic law." Mohammed Sarwar, Labour MP for Glasgow Govan, said: "I am sure if it is the case that MMR contains pork gelatin then that would be a concern for the Muslim community." Unlike Muslims, Jews are only forbidden to eat pork, and have no concerns about its use in medicines, according to Judith Tankel, who sits on the committee of the Glasgow Council of Christians and Jews.She said: "There is no problem with us wearing shoes or clothes made using pigs and certainly injections or medicine containing derivatives of pig are no problem."Dr Syed Ahmed, immunisation co-ordinator for Greater Glasgow NHS, said he had been alerted to the problem by a Muslim GP and had contacted all GPs in Glasgow asking them to warn Muslim parents and offer the option of using the alternative MMR vaccine made by Priorix.
Forbidden food
Strict Muslims are only allowed to eat foods not expressly forbidden in the Koran and animals slaughtered "in the name of Allah" are considered halal, or lawful, to eat. The Koran says only animals which chew the cud and have cloven hooves can be eaten, and as pigs do not chew the cud they are considered haram, or forbidden. Although Jews also consider pork to be unclean, kosher law only covers animal products which are eaten.-June 26th
Flu vaccine scheme halted over fears of Muslim parents
Gerry Braiden Senior reporter Friday 4 October 2013
SCOTLAND'S largest ever immunisation programme has been halted after Muslim parents were not told the vaccine contained pork gelatine.
The roll-out of the flu vaccine nasal spray pilot scheme in Glasgow had been due to begin at city primary school on Wednesday, days after its launch by First Minister Alex Salmond.
But after parents at Glendale Primary in Pollokshields - which has a large number of Muslim pupils who cannot consume or use pig products for religious reasons - became aware of the ingredients, complaints were made and the scheme was put on hold.
In England, the Fluenz vaccine attracted criticism just a fortnight ago for the same reason, sparking accusations of insensitivity to Muslims, Jews and vegetarians, and concerns over the lack of information to parents.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), whose area contains the overwhelming majority of Scotland's Muslims, said it had postponed the vaccinations "following concerns raised by a small number of parents".
The health board added that, in 2001, 100 Islamic scholars had agreed pork gelatine was permissible within a vaccine so there had been no need for advance publicity.
The city council moved to halt the programme within its schools after the complaints were made, with children at the pilot schools given letters last night informing them of the situation.
It will restart next week, with parents given the choice of an injection which does not contain the gelatine product. The roll-out is continuing elsewhere.
Glasgow councillor Soryia Siddique said: "Children's health and wellbeing is paramount. The serious failure is at a national level with regards to the clarity of the vaccine ingredient which should have been communicated to parents so they could make an informed decision."
Dr Syed Ahmed, consultant in public health medicine at NHSGGC, said: "We want to point out to parents and carers that the nasal spray vaccine contains a tiny amount of gelatine of pork origin used during the manufacturing process."
He said gelatine was commonly used in the manufacture of medicines and the trace in the finished nasal spray was a "completely changed substance".
He added: "In view of the 2001 agreement between the World Health Organisation and the Muslim scholars that pork gelatine was permissible within a vaccine there was no specific reference to this ingredient in the initial national communication that was produced for parents.
"However, in view of the concerns of a small number of parents we have updated our communication to confirm the inclusion of this ingredient in its manufactured state and advised parents they can request that their child can be provided with an alternative vaccination."
The vaccine is being offered for the first time to every child in Scotland aged two and three. Previously only children in "at risk" groups were offered the protection.
In all, about 120,000 children will be offered the vaccine, as well as 100,000 primary pupils in health board areas taking part in a pilot programme.
A city council spokeswoman said: "We asked for a delay ... to allow for additional information regarding the programme to be sent to families taking part in the immunisation pilot."
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Many medicines, including vaccines ... contain traces of bovine and porcine gelatine. Gelatine is an essential ingredient to make the flu nasal spray vaccine effective. Many faith groups, including Jewish and Muslim communities, have approved the use of gelatin-containing vaccines."
Public health minister Michael Matheson added: "The Scottish Government very much appreciates the help and advice provided by Muslim councils in response to these concerns and a letter has been issued to all parents of Muslim children in Glasgow to offer reassurance about ... the Fluenz vaccine."
http://www.heraldscotland.com/gerry-braiden
The roll-out of the flu vaccine nasal spray pilot scheme in Glasgow had been due to begin at city primary school on Wednesday, days after its launch by First Minister Alex Salmond.
But after parents at Glendale Primary in Pollokshields - which has a large number of Muslim pupils who cannot consume or use pig products for religious reasons - became aware of the ingredients, complaints were made and the scheme was put on hold.
In England, the Fluenz vaccine attracted criticism just a fortnight ago for the same reason, sparking accusations of insensitivity to Muslims, Jews and vegetarians, and concerns over the lack of information to parents.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), whose area contains the overwhelming majority of Scotland's Muslims, said it had postponed the vaccinations "following concerns raised by a small number of parents".
The health board added that, in 2001, 100 Islamic scholars had agreed pork gelatine was permissible within a vaccine so there had been no need for advance publicity.
The city council moved to halt the programme within its schools after the complaints were made, with children at the pilot schools given letters last night informing them of the situation.
It will restart next week, with parents given the choice of an injection which does not contain the gelatine product. The roll-out is continuing elsewhere.
Glasgow councillor Soryia Siddique said: "Children's health and wellbeing is paramount. The serious failure is at a national level with regards to the clarity of the vaccine ingredient which should have been communicated to parents so they could make an informed decision."
Dr Syed Ahmed, consultant in public health medicine at NHSGGC, said: "We want to point out to parents and carers that the nasal spray vaccine contains a tiny amount of gelatine of pork origin used during the manufacturing process."
He said gelatine was commonly used in the manufacture of medicines and the trace in the finished nasal spray was a "completely changed substance".
He added: "In view of the 2001 agreement between the World Health Organisation and the Muslim scholars that pork gelatine was permissible within a vaccine there was no specific reference to this ingredient in the initial national communication that was produced for parents.
"However, in view of the concerns of a small number of parents we have updated our communication to confirm the inclusion of this ingredient in its manufactured state and advised parents they can request that their child can be provided with an alternative vaccination."
The vaccine is being offered for the first time to every child in Scotland aged two and three. Previously only children in "at risk" groups were offered the protection.
In all, about 120,000 children will be offered the vaccine, as well as 100,000 primary pupils in health board areas taking part in a pilot programme.
A city council spokeswoman said: "We asked for a delay ... to allow for additional information regarding the programme to be sent to families taking part in the immunisation pilot."
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Many medicines, including vaccines ... contain traces of bovine and porcine gelatine. Gelatine is an essential ingredient to make the flu nasal spray vaccine effective. Many faith groups, including Jewish and Muslim communities, have approved the use of gelatin-containing vaccines."
Public health minister Michael Matheson added: "The Scottish Government very much appreciates the help and advice provided by Muslim councils in response to these concerns and a letter has been issued to all parents of Muslim children in Glasgow to offer reassurance about ... the Fluenz vaccine."
http://www.heraldscotland.com/gerry-braiden
