As with all medicines and vaccines, we advise that everyone should take the medicines and vaccines they need.
The Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine
(Last updated: 15/1/2021)
The first Covid-19 vaccine in the UK (called COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine BNT162b2), is currently being rolled out by Pfizer [1]. According to Pfizer’s press team and the available government information [2], this vaccine does not contain animal products.
Unlike some other vaccines (e.g. flu), this vaccine is produced without having to grow the virus in eggs or biological samples (such as cells originating from dogs) [3]. The vaccine, however, may have used some animal products during the development stage. It has been tested on animals [4], which is a regulatory requirement of any vaccine released to the public in the UK.
As with all medicines and vaccines, we advise that everyone should take the medicines and vaccines they need.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine
(Last updated: 20/1/2021)
The second Covid-19 vaccine in the UK (called COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 S [recombinant]), usually shortened to COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine) [5], is currently being rolled out by AstraZeneca. According to their press team and the available government information [6], this vaccine does not contain animal products.
This vaccine, however, has used lab-grown human cells (HEK293) and has used animals (chimpanzees) during the development stage. Cells from humans and animals are not in the final vaccine. It has been tested on animals, which is a regulatory requirement of any vaccine released to the public in the UK.
As with all medicines and vaccines, we advise that everyone should take the medicines and vaccines they need.
Covid-19 Vaccine Moderna
(Last updated: 6/7/2021)
The Moderna Covid-19 vaccine is the third to be rolled-out in the UK. Information on the government’s website [8] has stated that no materials of human or animal origin were used in the manufacture of Covid-19 vaccine Moderna.
We are currently seeking information as to whether animal products may have been used during the development stage. It has been tested on animals [9], which is a regulatory requirement of any vaccine released to the public in the UK.
As with all medicines and vaccines, we advise that everyone should take the medicines and vaccines they need.
Sources
[2] GOV.UK website, Ingredients section www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19
[3] Pfizer www.pfizer.co.uk/behind-science-what-mrna-vaccine
[5] GOV.UK, Section 1. Name of the medicinal product and 2. Qualitative and quantitative composition www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca/information-for-healthcare-professionals-on-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca
[6} GOV.UK, Ingredients section www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca
[7] AstraZeneca www.astrazeneca.com/sustainability/ethics-and-transparency/animals-in-research.html
[8] Summary of the Public Assessment Report for COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna
www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-covid-19-vaccine-moderna/summary-of-the-public-assessment-report-for-covid-19-vaccine-moderna
[9] Summary of Product Characteristics for COVID-19 Vaccine on GOV.UK website assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/975569/SmPC_Moderna_01.04.2021.pdf
If you have any further questions, please email us at hello@vegsoc.org or call 0161 925 2000.