Are vaccines with porcine gelatine halal?
Scholars differ. Some vaccines (for example the UK nasal flu vaccine for children) contain gelatine from pigs.
The views, and who holds them
| Held by | Verdict | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Many scholars and fatwa bodies, including Majelis Ulama Indonesia (2018, on the MR vaccine) | Halal | Permitted by necessity when no halal alternative is available, to prevent serious disease. |
| Some scholars | Halal | The gelatine is so transformed (istihalah) that it is no longer pork. |
| Other scholars | Haram | Avoid it where an alternative without porcine gelatine exists. |
Halal alternatives
- Ask the GP or pharmacist for a version without porcine gelatine; for the children's flu vaccine in England, an injected alternative can be requested.
Quick answers
- Are vaccines with porcine gelatine halal?
- Scholars differ. Some vaccines (for example the UK nasal flu vaccine for children) contain gelatine from pigs.
- Who holds that it is halal?
- Many scholars and fatwa bodies, including Majelis Ulama Indonesia (2018, on the MR vaccine): Permitted by necessity when no halal alternative is available, to prevent serious disease. Some scholars: The gelatine is so transformed (istihalah) that it is no longer pork.
- Who holds that it is haram?
- Other scholars: Avoid it where an alternative without porcine gelatine exists.
- What is the halal alternative?
- Ask the GP or pharmacist for a version without porcine gelatine; for the children's flu vaccine in England, an injected alternative can be requested.
Related ingredients
Sources
- Halal or Not? rulebook topic “Vaccines containing porcine gelatine”, live answer (checked 28 September 2026)
- Many scholars and fatwa bodies, including Majelis Ulama Indonesia (2018, on the MR vaccine)
- Some scholars
- Other scholars
Information, not a fatwa. Where scholars differ, this shows the main views so you can follow the one you already follow or ask a scholar you trust.
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