No vaccine for this group of people

[TheFancyPants]

Ok, I've just heard on the radio that because the C19 vaccine has at some point, in the last God knows how long, was tested on animals, and this means that adults and children who are Vegan are going to refuse to have it done.

Has the World gone mad??

AIBU to think you going to let your child or yourself refuse a potentially life saving preventative medicine???? This is akin to a Jehovahs Witness refusing a blood transfusion to save a life surely?

All medicines and medicinal products are tested on animals at some point. It's not a nice thought but unless they refuse all medical intervention then they're being stupid (in my opinion) to refuse the C19 vaccine. However as long as everyone has been offered a vaccine and the refusers do not stop the end of lockdown then it doesn't bother me if they want to not take a vaccine.

Surely that means they will refuse all vaccinations as they have all been tested on animals at some point? I think most people are reasonable and aren’t anti-vaxers. I already know of some vegan friends who’ve had it.

My vegan brother had it - most are not that dogmatic!

There's a lady who posted here to say she wouldn't have AZ because she's Catholic, also misguided as the pope has says it's fine.

Unless it's compulsory they are at liberty to refuse but may find themselves unable to go places!

99% of drugs have been tested on animals at some point and vegans do have medical treatment with drugs so it's only going to be a very small minority of vegans who will refuse for that reason.

You are always going to get some refuseniks. The majority of them will adapt their (wrong) principles accordingly when they realise that they can't go or do anything fun without it.

Then again if a vegan does have it you'll get someone saying how hypocritical they are for having it!

Vegans can't seem to win sometimes.

Do you have any evidence that people will refuse in significant numbers? I bet there’s very few conscientious vegans who refuse all medical treatment because it was probably tested on animals at some point? In terms of the vaccine itself, faith groups have been advising strongly that the vaccine is not tested on fetuses and is kosher/halal.

I think this is likely to be a non-issue, there are far more people refusing the vaccine on grounds of worries about fertility and microchips than a few radical vegans

some adults and children who are vegan will refuse, surely. I expect many will get the jab anyway. It's about weighing up costs and benefits, much as everything else in life.

It’s a legal requirement that all medicines are initially tested on animals in the non-clinical development phase. Only if those tests are successful are they allowed to move to clinical trials (I work in drug development).

There are no non-animal tested medicines and it would take a huge shift in drug licensing standards globally to change this.

People have to just get on with it, if they chose not to have it for whatever reason then that's their problem, or those around them, when it gets tricky is if they're in a career that affects others - hopefully not medicine as they're a bit more educated (hopefully!) and pragmatic to be so short sighted and dogmatic

I'm vegan and will be getting the jab when I finish breastfeeding. DH is vegan and will get the jab too. Most vegans are reasonable and know that medicines currently need to be tested on animals (although I support a charity called Animal Free Research U.K. which is looking to develop alternatives) but avoid cosmetics etc. that are needlessly tested.

I am sure some will refuse but I think this is a divisive non-issue to be honest.

Most vegans still take medication that's been tested on animals. It's a "do to the best of your ability without harming yourself " thing.

Choosing makeup, a luxury, that's tested on animals is a no no. But medication that you need, yeah you can morally take that.

Obviously vegans would prefer that nothing was tested on animals though.

Although it's still every person's right to choose whether to have the vaccine or not. Anyone can decide not to for any reason. As we all have body autonomy and it's no ones business what anyones reason for having or not having any vaccine is.

Who said they weren't going to have it? Vegan people on the radio - or was it just conjecture about vegans?

Vegan DH getting his next week.
Most vegans accept that animal use and by products are sometimes unavoidable.

They are perfectly within their rights to refuse it if they want to- for whatever reason. But I imagine only a small number will. Most medications have been tested on animals. I don't like the idea, but I accept it's necessary, unlike testing cosmetics etc.
(I've had it, BTW)

I think we let people have the vaccine if they want it and accept their decision if they don’t - the way we do with all vaccines. It’s a personal choice and isn’t anyone else’s business

And I’m eating a bacon sandwich for breakfast before I get accused of being a vegan. Still believe it’s personal choice who gets it though.

On the slim chance someone gets critically ill with Covid, most of the meds given in hospital will be tested on animals too.

Unless someone is going to refuse that treatment, they shouldn't refuse the vaccine for that reason.

I don't think we have to worry about the few dozen nutters who would take it so seriously

It’s their decision. I don’t think that’s a mainstream vegan position though.

Peta say that you’re best keeping yourself fit and healthy by having the vaccine so you’re better able to protest against the use of animals in testing.

I don’t know any real life vegans refusing the vaccine on animal testing (or other!) grounds.

Nice to see a new way of bashing vegans on here though.

Most vegans are fine about using vaccines and medicines containing animal products or tested on animals. The point of veganism is to exclude harm ‘as far as possible’, and most draw that line before medicine.

Some very extreme vegans may refuse the vaccine but they will absolutely be in the minority. They will likely be protected by herd immunity. It will not be the position of most vegans, and you shouldn’t judge all vegans by the actions of a few.

You are wrong OP.

The animal testing aspect does not mean 'vegans' will refuse to have the vaccine.

Someone who is a vegan may opt not to be vaccinated due to this, but the major are just really sensible and normal types who will absolutely take the vaccine.

Has anyone actually heard of people refusing the vaccine because they are vegan?

@TheFancyPants

Ok, I've just heard on the radio that because the C19 vaccine has at some point, in the last God knows how long, was tested on animals, and this means that adults and children who are Vegan are going to refuse to have it done.

Has the World gone mad??

AIBU to think you going to let your child or yourself refuse a potentially life saving preventative medicine???? This is akin to a Jehovahs Witness refusing a blood transfusion to save a life surely?

A Catholic posted the other day saying she didn’t want the AZ vaccine for some bizarre reason - apparently she is more religious than the Pope as he’s said all the vaccines are fine.

As he should.