[:en]Immunization, Halal or Haram?[:]

[:en]By Dito Anurogo

Yogyakarta [14/10/2017] – The immunization controversy from an Islamic perspective found its light in the Symposium and Workshop Immunization [SWIM] 2017 which was held on the 4th floor of the Eastparc Hotel Yogyakarta Grand Ballroom by Faculty of Medicine Universitas Islam Indonesia in collaboration with IDI and IMANI PROKAMI. Prof. Dr. Drs. Makhrus Munajat, SH, M.Hum. explained that basically the scholars allowed immunization. This is based on MUI fatwa No. 4 of 2016 concerning Immunization.

Prof. Dr. Drs. Makhrus Munajat, SH, M.Hum when explaining the material.

Photo credit by Dito Anurogo

The fatwa decision also explains terminology regarding immunization and vaccines. Immunization is a process to increase the body's immune system against certain diseases by entering vaccines. A vaccine is a biological product that contains antigen in the form of a microorganism that is dead or still alive but attenuated, still intact or part of it, or in the form of a microorganism toxin that has been processed into a toxoid or recombinant protein, which is added with other substances, which when given to someone will cause active specific immunity against a particular disease.

Furthermore, the head of the DIY MUI fatwa commission explained several legal provisions related to immunization. First, immunization is basically permissible [mubah] as a form of effort to create immunity [immunity] and prevent the occurrence of certain diseases. Second, vaccines for immunization must use halal and holy vaccines. Third, the use of immunization vaccines made from unclean and/or unclean ingredients is illegal. Fourth, immunization with vaccines that are unclean and/or unclean is not permissible unless used under conditions al-dlarurat or al-hajat, Halal and holy vaccine ingredients have not been found, there is information from medical personnel who are competent and trusted that there are no halal vaccines. Fifth, in the event that a person who is not immunized will cause death, serious illness, or permanent life-threatening disability, based on the judgment of a competent and trusted expert, then legal immunization is mandatory. Sixth, immunization should not be carried out if, based on the opinion of a competent and trusted expert, it has a harmful effect.dlarar].

The professor at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta said that there were several rules regarding emergencies in medicine. First, an emergency is a state of urgency to attack the prohibition. Second, the emergency allows something that is prohibited. Third, if there are two harms [dangers] facing each other, then the lightest one is taken.

Material presentation by dr. Piprim B. Yanuarso, SpA[K]

Photo credit by Dito Anurogo

Other controversies related to immunization were discussed in depth by dr. Piprim B. Yanuarso, SpA[K]. He explained various misconceptions about immunization and the role of communication to change misconceptions. According to the CDC-WHO in 1996, there are six misconceptions about immunization. First, infectious diseases had decreased before the immunization program because of improved hygiene and sanitation, not because of immunization. Second, most patients remain sick after immunization; prove the vaccine is ineffective. Third, there are certain lots of vaccines that cause a lot of AEFI [Post-Immunization Adjunct Events]. Fourth, vaccines cause dangerous side effects, illness, and death. Fifth, the disease has been eliminated so there is no need for an immunization program. Sixth, multiple vaccines when administered simultaneously increase the risk of harmful AEFIs and the burden on the immune system.

The Secretary General of PP IDAI also explained the development of immunization misconceptions in Indonesia. For example, immunization is not useful because after immunization you can still contract the disease; the incidence of disease is rare, it is not dangerous enough with breast milk and herbs; immunity due to natural infection is better than immunization; many immunizations actually weaken the body's immunity; children who are not immunized rarely get sick; vaccines are dangerous because they cause seizures, paralysis, damage the brain, cause autism, disability, and death; vaccines contain hazardous materials such as mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde; vaccines are haram because they contain lard, made from aborted fetuses, blood, pus, animal and human organs; the vaccine spreads the AIDS and hepatitis B viruses, immunization is sufficient for up to nine months; complete five basic immunizations are sufficient; important immunizations only according to the government's schedule, outside the government's schedule are not important; if it's past the schedule, you can't be immunized; cold cough should not be immunized; death sickness is God's trial, vaccination is the same as not trusting; the immunization program is a Jewish and American conspiracy to weaken Muslim children around the world; disease is deliberately spread for the benefit of the vaccine business; the tyrannical government forces all babies to be immunized; the American-made vaccine for the immunization program in Indonesia to make Indonesian Muslim children stupid; non-programmed vaccines are expensive, benefiting capitalist conspiracies; tahnik, cupping, herbal methods are cheaper and more effective than immunization.

The cause of all these misconceptions, according to dr. Piprim B. Yanuarso, SpA[K]., there are several things. First, ignorance or lack of information regarding various aspects of immunization, such as disease hazards, immunization benefits, vaccine contents, immunization schedules, AEFI risks. Second, excessive experience or news about AEFIs. Third, incorrect information that is deliberately disseminated by anti-vaccine groups, alternative therapies, and herbalists. Fourth, religious beliefs. In order to change it, several things need to be done. Such as making continuous efforts to communicate educational information, face-to-face [individuals, groups], mass media, social networks, in collaboration with local governments, health offices, women's organizations, LPA, KPAI, and involving religious leaders.

The symposium which was attended by around two hundred participants also discussed a variety of interesting topics and presented experts in their fields. like Dr. dr. Wikan Indrarto, Sp.A. which describes the introduction of diseases that can be prevented by immunization; dr. Nurcholid Umam, SpA who explained what immunization is and why; dr. Mei Neni Sitaresmi, Sp.A[K], Ph.D. which discusses the immunization schedule of the Ministry of Health and IDAI; dr. Erlina Marfianti, MSc., SpPD who discussed immunization not only for children; dr. Yasmini Fitriyati, SpOG who stated about preventing birth defects by immunizing prospective mothers.

''Representative place, enthusiastic participants, speakers are experts in their fields, siip committee, food delicious,'' said dr. Soeroyo Machfudz, MPH, SpA[K] when confirmed via private communication. SWIM 2017 is indeed a shame not to be missed because it discusses immunization from a comprehensive perspective. [Coverage by dr. Dito Anurogo, MSc.]

DA/SAA/Tri[:]