Gelatine and vaccines

Gelatine derived from pigs is used as a stabiliser in several vaccines made using live viruses. This protects them against the effects of temperature changes during storage, so they remain effective and safe. All forms of gelatine that are used in medicines are manufactured under strict hygiene and safety regulations.

Gelatine in vaccines is highly purified and hydrolysed (broken down by water), so it is different from the natural gelatine used in foods. For example, very sensitive scientific tests have shown that no actual DNA from pigs can be detected in the nasal flu vaccine that contains gelatine (Fluenz).These tests show that the gelatine is broken down so much that the original source cannot be identified.

There have been a tiny number of cases of allergic reactions to vaccines containing gelatine -about one case for every two million doses of vaccine. People with a known allergy to gelatine should seek medical advice before receiving vaccines containing gelatine.

Members of Muslim and Jewish religious communities, as well as others, may be concerned about using vaccines that contain gelatine from pigs.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) spoke to the Kashrut and Medicines Information Service, which gives guidance in relation to food and Jewish laws. They said:

‘It should be noted that according to Jewish laws, there is no problem with porcine or other animal-derived ingredients in non-oral products. This includes vaccines, including those administered via the nose, injections, suppositories, creams and ointments.’

Some Muslim leaders have also ruled that the use of gelatine in vaccines does not break religious dietary laws, because it is highly purified, and it is also injected or inhaled rather than eaten.

In 2022 the British Fatwa Council said it is permissible to have the nasal flu vaccine. 

The final decision about whether to be vaccinated or not, or whether to have your child vaccinated, is yours. In order to come to an informed decision, you may wish to have a look at the evidence about the advantages and disadvantages of having yourself or your child vaccinated.

There are two vaccines routinely used in the UK that contain gelatine:

• Fluenz - the nasal flu vaccine. The inactivated, injectable flu vaccine can be given as an alternative to the nasal flu vaccine.
• MMRVaxPro - one of the vaccines to protect against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR vaccines). Priorix, another MMR vaccine used in the UK does not contain gelatine and can be given as an alternative.

One of the chickenpox vaccines - Varivax - also contains gelatine. This is currently only recommended to people at risk of getting seriously ill from the disease in the UK. There is an alternative - Varilrix - that can be given instead.  

If you would like further information about specific vaccines before making a decision, your GP or practice nurse will be happy to answer any questions you have.