Asalamu Alaikum, Some of our children or even us are required to get vaccines to attend School. Vaccines such as Varicella(chicken pox), flu shot, MMR, hepatitis, etc. I researched these vaccines and found out that many of these vaccines contain ingredients like gelatin(derived from pork). So my question is if it's permissible to use these vaccines with the knowledge of haram ingredients being present in them. Jazakallah Khair

All praise be to Allah, and may His blessings and peace be on His last prophet and messenger, Muhammad.

The scholars agreed on the impermissibility of using haram as medicine in presence of halal alternatives.

In the case described, we do, however, have some factors that affect the ruling:

1.      The haram is mixed with halal.

2.      The amount used is trivial.

3.      Immunizations are mostly administered by injection, not orally.

4.      Transformation, when complete, changes the ruling of the substance, according to the majority.

If there is no alternative to a particular medicine that has some impurity, you may still take it.

As for gelatin, the complete transformation of the porcine derivatives of Gelatin is controversial.  The ruling is therefore the avoidance of such products in food, and in medicine as well unless there is no alternative to a particular medicine, then it may be consumed. This is consistent with the resolution of the Islamic Fiqh Assembly of the OIC.

Allah knows best.