Muslim parents' concern over gelatine delays flu vaccine in schools

[muriel_volestrangler]

A programme to vaccinate schoolchildren against flu has been delayed in Glasgow after concerns from Muslim parents that it contains products derived from pork.
...
It is given as a nasal spray rather than the traditional jab.

But parents in Pollokshields, which has a high number of Muslim pupils, have complained the spray contains gelatine.

A letter sent to Glasgow schools in the wake of concerns cites a World Health Organisation study in 2001 which indicated that Islamic and Jewish scholars had agreed pork gelatine was permissible within a vaccine.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-24394844

I hope this will at least publicise the 'ruling' by the scholars that gelatine is a completely changed substance, and that it is OK in vaccines. It's a shame that wasn't totally understood in the communities that might object to it.

[Goblinmonger]

1. Still a vegetarian/vegan issue.

I do my best to stay away from gelatin but realize it is a losing battle because it is everywhere. Very happy Skittles stopped using gelatin, though.

[rug]

2. My daughter's been a vegetarian since kindergarten when she made the connection.

It broke her heart when she learned there's gelatin in marshmallows. She's still sticking it out though.

[Goblinmonger]

4. These are the best vegetarian marshmallows we've found

http://store.veganessentials.com/dandies-non-gmo-air-puffed-vegan-marshmallows-by-chicago-vegan-foods-p2607.aspx

They have the same fluffiness of the store-bought ones.

Though these:
http://store.veganessentials.com/vanilla-vegan-marshmallows-by-sweet--sara-p1819.aspx

are awesome if you like the more dense consistency of homemade marshmallows.

[rug]

5. Thank you very much. You've brightened her world.

I'll order some.

[ZombieHorde]

3. This makes their personal god sound really petty.

Fortunately for those who don't like the spread of illnesses, some scholars were able to "figure out" god's opinion of the use of gelatin in vaccines. What a bizarre scenario.

[cbayer]

6. Flu vaccine in school aged children is really not all that critical.

It's totally optional and if these parents are uncomfortable with some of the ingredients coming from pork, so what?

If it were the elderly or other vulnerable population, this might be a big deal. But it's hard to believe that they can't make this without using a pork product.

[kestrel91316]

7. Oh yes it is. Schools are the best place in the world for spreading disease

through a population.

[cbayer]

8. I understand that but this population is low risk for complications.

[kestrel91316]

9. It's not about THEM and THEIR risk of complications. It is about overall community

(herd) immunization rates and risk of complications in babies and elderly and people with underlying problems.

most Americans nave no concept of herd health, unfortunately. Because we think we aren't animals.

[cbayer]

10. While I agree with you about vaccinations in general, flue vaccines are

different.

It's a "best guess" for one thing.

For populations at risk and those working with populations at risk, I am a strong supporter.

But for the population of low risk people, I'm not so sure it's all that great.

I'm not sure if it has changed, but routine flu vaccines for school age children has previously not been the norm.